Armed Forces Corporate Covenant at Santander

We are dedicated to hiring from the Armed Forces and their families and this year we signed the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant. 

The Covenant is our promise to ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly, which aligns with our Diversity and Inclusion policy.

Signing the Covenant is only a small part of how we support the Armed Forces. We also work closely with the Career Transition Partnership. They support us by providing recruitment services to find quality applicants for apprenticeships, full time and vocational work opportunities.

In June 2016, Santander UK’s HR Director, Vicky Wallis, signed the Armed Forces Covenant at the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall on behalf of the bank. The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. It is a means whereby businesses, local authorities, charities and community organisations can show their commitment to the forces by supporting reservists and those who have served and fought for their country.

Vicky Wallis said: “I’m delighted to be able to make our support for colleagues in the armed services official today. Signing the Armed Forces Covenant shows not just what we already do, but that we are working hard with the Ministry of Defence to understand what more we can do in future.”

Santander aims to be a truly diverse and inclusive company, and by having a range of backgrounds and experiences across the company allows the bank to better understand the needs of our customers. Signing up to the Covenant is a demonstration of our commitment to diversity and also to support those who serve, and their families.

Vicky was accompanied by the Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff and Senior Reservist, Major General Ronald Munro and Santander’s Mark Bullen. Mark, who works in Santander Global Corporate Bank, is a member of the Army Reserves. He said: “I’m proud to work for a bank that values my contribution as a reservist. It can be a challenge, but knowing I have this commitment from my employer is a big encouragement.”