Coinciding with plans to legislate the Armed Forces Covenant, a new social value venture has launched which will provide expert advice to organisations on how best to deliver their pledges.
A PIONEERING social value enterprise whose mission is to maximise the social value of organisations to have a positive impact on the Armed Forces community has launched today. (Monday, 17th March)
SMJ Consulting Services, is spearheaded by SaluteMyJob’s Managing Director and former Brigadier Andrew Jackson, and military spouse and Social Value expert, Charlie Keane. SaluteMyJob (SMJ) is a social enterprise that, for the past decade, has been bridging the gap between employers and ex-military jobseekers. SMJ Consulting Services’ ‘soft launch’ today is a chance to bring our knowledge and expertise in both social value and the delivery of Armed Forces programmes to impact positively on ‘Forces Friendly’ organisations and the Armed Forces community they have committed to support
SMJ Consulting Services will help organisations make a tangible difference, creating meaningful impact for Armed Forces communities. Through expert advice, strategic planning, and sustainable impact measurement, they will ensure organisations fulfill their commitments of their Armed Forces Covenant pledges in a way that delivers social and organisational value.
Last week, the Minister for Veterans and People was questioned by Parliament’s Defence Committee on whether the Armed Forces Covenant is maximising its full potential and delivering meaningful impact to the Armed Forces Community. Members explored with the Minister, Alistair Carns, how the Government plans to legislate the Armed Forces Covenant ‘fully into law’, with the Royal Marine reservist Colonel telling the committee that this legislative change would bring an element of standardisation and with it, better support and services for the Armed Forces community.
As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Defence Employer Recognition Award holder, SaluteMyJob is committed to supporting the Armed Forces community and to help other organisations to maximise the impact of their work. SMJ Consulting Services is born out of the need for expert advice to plan and implement structured programmes to deliver their Covenant pledges, build pipelines of talent and measure the social value of their work to support the Armed Forces community.
Andrew Jackson said: “The Armed Forces Covenant is full of potential, much of it unrealised. We’re launching SMJ Consulting Services to help organisations deliver their pledges and measure the value of their activities. Many organisations sign the Covenant with the best of intentions but struggle to understand and apply good practice to build effective programmes that have a positive impact on both the military community and their business. That’s where we come in. We’re also very keen to facilitate meaningful collaboration between willing organisations and to share good practice, thereby maximising our collective value.”
Social Value Lead, Charlie Keane, said: “I am excited to deliver real, measurable impact and help businesses create meaningful change, ensuring sustainability, accountability, and lasting benefits for both organisations and the communities they serve. Drawing from my lived experience within the Armed Forces community, I am dedicated to using my skills to help reduce the daily challenges and limitations that families like mine face.”
If you’re an employer and would like to find out more, get in touch with Andrew Jackson at andrew@salutemyjob.com or Charlie Keane at charlie@salutemyjob.com
