Calling Kentish Veterans and Business Leaders

X-Forces Enterprise (XFE) is partnering with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to help raise awareness of the Armed Forces Covenant in a special event in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Taking place on 21^st June, just days before Armed Forces Day 2019, the event will inform businesses and support ex-military personnel that are transitioning into civilian life.

XFE and FSB invite business owners from the region to join them, and hear from Tom Tugendhat MP alongside Ren Kapur MBE of XFE, Barry Thompson of Me:Now, Kate Lole from the Ministry of Defence, Shaun Micallef-Green of The Rift Group and Lisa Marr from Veterans Employment Transition Support (VETS).

Ren Kapur MBE

Ren Kapur MBE, XFE CEO and Founder, said:

“As FSB’s Armed Forces Champion, I’m delighted to be working with the organisation to raise awareness of the military community in business.  The power of the network is core to our work supporting ex-military entrepreneurs, just as it is at the heart of the FSB organisation, hence there is formidable synergy in our partnership.  At this event in Royal Tunbridge Wells, taking place in the run up to Armed Forces Week, I hope to meet veterans and business leaders alike, and share the learnings and successes from the past six years of X-Forces Enterprise.”

FSB Area Leader Deborah Turner says there are opportunities for many more to start their own business following military service:

“Many skills learned in the forces are absolutely key to running a business – technical skills, logistics, leadership and management. Plus, of course, tenacity and resilience. Plus, with one third of firms struggling to recruit, an open recruitment policy is essential for businesses to thrive. This event will highlight ways in which both businesses and ex-forces personnel can benefit.”

FSB Members Debbie Scott of Scott Communications, and Dominic Offord of TN4 have volunteered their time to curate the event.

“As an FSB member and former Naval reservist, I was delighted to hear that FSB supports X-Forces. It can be hard to find the right support and advice on leaving military service. We hope to raise awareness of the expert skills and resilience ex-forces members can bring to business, as well as show how businesses can do more to support those leaving the armed forces by signing up to the Covenant.” – Debbie Scott

“When I left the Navy I knew I had useful leadership and strategy setting skills but knowing what to do with them, and where to work next, was difficult. Organisations such as FSB and X-Forces can literally be a lifeline to those of us wanting to continue to contribute to society, but in a different way from service.” – Dominic Offord

Business owners, managers and ex-forces personnel of all ranks are invited to attend the event on Friday 21 June 2019 at the Ephraim Suite, Royal Wells Hotel, Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells from 08.45am to 12 noon. The event is free to attend.

To book, email sarah.lilly@fsb.org.uk or register here http://bit.ly/2YlPE0a