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Conduent Signs Up to the UK Armed Forces Covenant

Published Date
Author Dean Fennell-Connell

At Conduent, we appreciate the service of our military veterans and families every day. Conduent is home to many service veterans including our CEO, Cliff Skelton, who served for over 20 years as a U.S. naval officer and fighter pilot. 

As a former Royal Naval Communications Specialist myself, I’m delighted that Conduent’s connection with the military continues through us signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant. The covenant is an initiative of the UK charity Help for Heroes, which was established to provide lifetime support to those wounded in service of their country.

The covenant is a public pledge from businesses and other organisations who wish to demonstrate their support for the armed forces community. Businesses are asked to pledge their support for the two key principles of the covenant articulated below, and to select from a range of other commitments they may feel able to make.

  • The armed forces community should not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services
  • Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most, such as the injured and the bereaved

Signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant specifically means that Conduent in the U.K. pledges to:

  • Endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant
  • Demonstrate our commitment by supporting:     
    • The employment of veterans
    • The employment of service spouses and partners
    • The employment of service members of the reserve forces
    • The employment of service members of local cadet units
    • The active participation in Armed Forces Day and the United States equivalent, Veterans Day
  • Offer flexibility in granting leave for service spouses and partners before, during and after a partner’s deployment
  • Publicise these commitments

Conduent Receives Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support the armed forces and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

I know from my own personal experience just how important and beneficial both the Covenant and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme can be. I joined the Royal Navy as a sixteen year-old and when I left in 2009 to join Conduent, I had not experienced civilian working life. This is, for many, a hurdle in itself. But 2009 was also in the middle of the financial crisis, which made it difficult to gain employment. Fortunately for me, Conduent’s UK parking business (then Spur Information Solutions) was growing and had successful experience in assisting ex-service personnel in transitioning from military to business life.

Conduent’s commitment to the Covenant demonstrates the company’s ongoing support for the armed forces and to the communities across the UK in which we provide services.

About the Author

Dean Fennell-Connell leads business strategy for Conduent Transportation’s U.K. parking, kerbside management and camera enforcement services. With over 13 years of parking industry experience, he supports clients and technology suppliers by identifying and integrating solutions that enhance operations and each customer’s experience. Dean recently won the British Ex-Forces in Business ‘Young Leader of the Year’ award and leads on the UK team supporting the Armed Forces Covenant commitments and is the chair of the Conduent Employee Engagement Group for military affiliates.

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