Nationwide Building Society has once again been awarded the highest level of accreditation by the Ministry of Defence, in recognition of the support it provides active military personnel, reservists and veterans.
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), which issued the Gold accreditation to the world’s largest building society for a second time, encourages organisations to ensure that members of the armed forces and their families have access to the services they need and that veterans are suitably supported as they move to civilian life.
Nationwide’s commitment extends to product propositions, such as offering mortgages through the Forces Help to Buy scheme for military personnel and their families. The Society also provides additional support to employees who are reservists and veterans. While meeting the Gold criteria set out by the ERS, Nationwide has gone above and beyond in the support it offers the armed forces community. For instance, by providing an additional three weeks of paid leave, rather than the required two weeks, to the Society’s reservists so they can fulfil their training requirements every year.
Jane Hanson, Head of People & Culture at Nationwide Building Society, said: “We have always valued the unique skills those who serve in the armed forces bring to Nationwide. We have a range of policies to support veterans throughout their careers, which have been designed in collaboration with our Veterans and Reservists Employee Network. The experiences and perspectives they bring to Nationwide will help us to realise our ambition to become a more inclusive and diverse Society, that reflects the communities we serve. The contribution that active servicemen and women, reservists and veterans make to our Society, to their local communities and their country is immeasurable and we remain committed to evolving our support for them throughout their military careers, and beyond.”
The Society is especially focused on supporting those coming towards the end of their military careers by offering employment opportunities and working with veterans to help them evolve and adapt their military skills for careers in civilian life.
Graeme Hood, British Army Veteran and Delivery Manager, at Nationwide Building Society, said: “Following a 17-year career as a British Army Officer, I’ve seen first-hand the value that Nationwide places on the unique skills and perspectives military veterans bring with them. My career at Nationwide has seen me adapt my skills and achieve things I didn’t think were possible when coming to the end of my military career and contemplating ‘civvy’ life. It makes me proud to belong to an organisation which is committed to providing support and service to the military community.”
