Newsletter

February 2017 Volume 1 Issue 1

This edition contains news and articles from both the WEA Team and from our Industry Partners

The Newsletter focusses on Employment matters but this is of course only one area in the which the WEA can provide assistance to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines communities

Since the 1950s the Association has provided help to Sailors Marines and their families on Transition Financial and Legal Matters covering everything from Divorce to Pensions and Personal Administration

Please see our website at whiteensigncouk for further information on how the WEA can help you

INSIDE THIS ISSUEbull QUANTA TRAINING bull WEA EMPLOYMENT SERVICES bull BUSINESS SUPPORT FROM X-FORCESbull MURRAY McINTOSH

Welcome to the White Ensign Association Newsletter

THE WHITE ENSIGN ASSOCIATION

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FROM THE WEA

If you are preparing for employment outside the Service The White Ensign Association can help you with a number of issues including

bull CV and Covering Letter Advicebull Interview Skillsbull Networkingbull Industry and Sector Advicebull Job Hunting and Career Planningbull Introduction to Industry Partners as appropriatebull The Association also has a number of Mentors

and Network Advisers that can help you with various specific areas of your employment journey

ldquoI have been extremely fortunate and grateful in receiving all the help and advice from the WEA in my quest for civilian employment They are a fabulous organisation in helping any member of the RN out both serving and retired and I would urge all RN personnel who are thinking about leaving or have submitted their notice or are in the resettlement process to contact the WEA ndash the work they do is fantastic and have been a great support to both my family and Irdquo

X-Forces is a social enterprise that offers advice and funding support for the military community

This includes veterans service leavers spouses children reservists and cadets that want to start their on company or become self-employed X-Forces support is free of charge and seeks to help clients from their business plan to their first day opening and sustainable growth

Since 2013 X-Forces has supported over 700 businesses to launch which has become one of the most successful cohorts of business start-ups in the UK

X-Forcesx-forcescomwwwfacebookcomXForcesOfficialXForces

BUSINESS SUPPORT FROM X-FORCES

The White Ensign Association is proud to be in partnership with X-Forces and the two organisations work together to provide the best possible support to those from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines communities who wish to start their own businesses The following case study illustrates how one former RN Officer was able to make a success of his business with help from X-Forces

Kevin Royal Navy Veteran When people say they came up with their business idea around the breakfast table not many mean this as literally as former Royal Navy officer Kevin and his family Jim Jams was born with a simple aim to make breakfast healthier without taking the fun out of it Since the business launched their products have been flying off the shelves in Tesco Wholefoods Morrisonrsquos and many other major retailers

When did you decide that you wanted to start your own businessldquoAround 3 years ago my wife and I came up with the idea to produce a chocolate spread that tasted amazing and yet had the benefit of 83 less sugar I was inspired and believed wholeheartedly in the concept and so I gave up my job to build the businessrdquo

Do you feel there is enough financial support and guidance available for entrepreneursldquoIn the last few years start-up loans invoice factoring and crowdfunding has helped entrepreneurs financially However in depth long term guidance is hard to come by and there is a gap in the market for entrepreneur development programmes run by people who have successfully run their own business

ldquoThere are very few of these around but we were lucky to be accepted onto the Grocery Accelerator Program Of course this was only possible by having a solid business plan that X-Forces helped us to pull togetherrdquo

Why did you contact X-Forces for help in setting up your own businessldquoHaving served in the Royal Navy I felt they would have an understanding of my work ethic and determination to help secure the financial support we requiredrdquo

Go to Jim Jams Spreads website here jimjams-spreadscouk or follow them on social media for recipe ideas and more

X-Forces is a social enterprise that offers advice and funding support for the military community

This includes veterans service leavers spouses children reservists and cadets that want to start their on company or become self-employed X-Forces support is free of charge and seeks to help clients from their business plan to their first day opening and sustainable growth

Since 2013 X-Forces has supported over 700 businesses to launch which has become one of the most successful cohorts of business start-ups in the UK

X-Forcesx-forcescomwwwfacebookcomXForcesOfficialXForces

BUSINESS SUPPORT FROM X-FORCES

The White Ensign Association is proud to be in partnership with X-Forces and the two organisations work together to provide the best possible support to those from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines communities who wish to start their own businesses The following case study illustrates how one former RN Officer was able to make a success of his business with help from X-Forces

Kevin Royal Navy Veteran When people say they came up with their business idea around the breakfast table not many mean this as literally as former Royal Navy officer Kevin and his family Jim Jams was born with a simple aim to make breakfast healthier without taking the fun out of it Since the business launched their products have been flying off the shelves in Tesco Wholefoods Morrisonrsquos and many other major retailers

When did you decide that you wanted to start your own businessldquoAround 3 years ago my wife and I came up with the idea to produce a chocolate spread that tasted amazing and yet had the benefit of 83 less sugar I was inspired and believed wholeheartedly in the concept and so I gave up my job to build the businessrdquo

Do you feel there is enough financial support and guidance available for entrepreneursldquoIn the last few years start-up loans invoice factoring and crowdfunding has helped entrepreneurs financially However in depth long term guidance is hard to come by and there is a gap in the market for entrepreneur development programmes run by people who have successfully run their own business

ldquoThere are very few of these around but we were lucky to be accepted onto the Grocery Accelerator Program Of course this was only possible by having a solid business plan that X-Forces helped us to pull togetherrdquo

Why did you contact X-Forces for help in setting up your own businessldquoHaving served in the Royal Navy I felt they would have an understanding of my work ethic and determination to help secure the financial support we requiredrdquo

Go to Jim Jams Spreads website here jimjams-spreadscouk or follow them on social media for recipe ideas and more

The areas most people need help with are in their preparation for civilian employment CV and Covering Letter writing preparing for and practicing interviews thinking about what type of work they would like to go into or are suited to working out how much they should look to earn and how to negotiate their package The Association can provide in-depth assistance in all these areas and for those with a particular need or specialism or who will benefit from talking to someone in a niche area we have a number of specialists from across Industry who have very kindly offered their services to us and who we can put you in touch with for some lsquoground truthrsquo advice

One of the first things we recommend that people who are looking to move into the civilian world of work or change their career should do is to take a step back and look at the basics When deciding on a future job or career there are three equally important and interdependent questions they should consider

- What do I want to do

- Where do I want to do it

- How much do I need or want to earn

Many people overlook this start point yet it is vitally important in ensuring sound planning and increasing the chances of a successful employment outcome

Often one or two elements of this lsquoemployment trianglersquo may need to be compromised in order to accommodate the other(s) and it is crucial to work out which one is the most important and use this as the basis for further planning

Good research coupled with sound planning will not only increase the chances of success in your new career but may also avoid you spending money and using resettlement time on courses or other preparation that turn out to be a waste of both Often just having a 15 minute chat with someone who is in the industry you are thinking of going into or checking out if your chosen industry pays enough for you to meet your commitments in the area you wish to live in can make all the difference These relatively simple actions can help you decide at a really early stage if something is for you or not It will either reinforce your instincts and give you the confidence you need to forge ahead with your plans or it will highlight some potential difficulties and perhaps save you a great deal of money time and effort further down the line

If you would like to chat though your overall plans in further detail or would like some advice in a specific area(s) ndash for example help with your CV - please get in touch with the Director Employment Services at The White Enisgn Association and we can arrange an initial meeting or telephone call

lsquoWhat do I want to do Where do I want to do it and How much do I need or want to earnhelliprsquo

Your WEA Team

Chief Executive and Area Representative for the South amp South East - Captain John Lavery MVO Royal Navy

Director Finance Company Secretary amp Area Representative for Central North Scotland amp Overseas - Lieutenant Commander Mike Howell Royal Navy

Regional Manager South East - Mr David ScholeyRegional Manager South West - Mr Martin Small

Director Employment Services - Mr Dom HillSupport Manager - Emma Copland

0207 407 8658 officewhiteensigncouk

Thinking of leaving the service or already left but considering a career change and not sure

where to start

Dom Hill WEA Director Employment Services Domhillwhiteensigncouk 0207 940 8133

MURRAY MCINTOSH

STANDS TO ATTENTION

FOR THE WEA

Leading recruitment specialist Murray McIntosh has selected UK based Naval charity The White Ensign Association as its new corporate charity partner The partnership was initiated by Murray McIntosh employees who wanted to commend this particular charityrsquos efforts and dedication to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines therefore deeming it the perfect candidate to work with

Murray McIntoshrsquos input will be centred around expert insight into the recruitment process and how to immerse oneself into employment outside the Armed Forces The specialist recruitment firm will offer extensive interview and CV preparation right through to sourcing actual roles for the candidates and any additional support thereafter

Adam Cave managing director at Murray McIntosh commented

ldquoWe are extremely proud to be affiliated with such a well-respected and prestigious group like the White Ensign Association and wersquore hoping to help in any way we can - the team is already looking into various fundraising initiatives Our initial priority however is obviously on the recruitment front Itrsquos going to be an honour working with the Charityrsquos service men and women and Irsquom confident that our knowledge and experience in the industry will assist a smooth transition for allrdquo

John Lavery Chief Executive of The White Ensign Association commented

ldquoWe are excited to be partnered with Murray McIntosh and are delighted by both their willingness to get involved and assist but perhaps more importantly because they have recognised the great potential in the talent and professionalism the men and women of the Naval service can offer our civilian business economy The small White Ensign team work across the UK to assist the Sailor and Marine and their families and now with Murray McIntosh on board our efforts are strengthened enormously allowing us to deliver even more support than everrdquo

wwwmurraymcintoshcom wwwwhiteensigncouk

MURRAY MCINTOSH

STANDS TO ATTENTION

FOR THE WEA

Leading recruitment specialist Murray McIntosh has selected UK based Naval charity The White Ensign Association as its new corporate charity partner The partnership was initiated by Murray McIntosh employees who wanted to commend this particular charityrsquos efforts and dedication to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines therefore deeming it the perfect candidate to work with

Murray McIntoshrsquos input will be centred around expert insight into the recruitment process and how to immerse oneself into employment outside the Armed Forces The specialist recruitment firm will offer extensive interview and CV preparation right through to sourcing actual roles for the candidates and any additional support thereafter

Adam Cave managing director at Murray McIntosh commented

ldquoWe are extremely proud to be affiliated with such a well-respected and prestigious group like the White Ensign Association and wersquore hoping to help in any way we can - the team is already looking into various fundraising initiatives Our initial priority however is obviously on the recruitment front Itrsquos going to be an honour working with the Charityrsquos service men and women and Irsquom confident that our knowledge and experience in the industry will assist a smooth transition for allrdquo

John Lavery Chief Executive of The White Ensign Association commented

ldquoWe are excited to be partnered with Murray McIntosh and are delighted by both their willingness to get involved and assist but perhaps more importantly because they have recognised the great potential in the talent and professionalism the men and women of the Naval service can offer our civilian business economy The small White Ensign team work across the UK to assist the Sailor and Marine and their families and now with Murray McIntosh on board our efforts are strengthened enormously allowing us to deliver even more support than everrdquo

wwwmurraymcintoshcom wwwwhiteensigncouk

WEA PARTNER QUANTA TRAINING WIN PRESTIGIOUS RESETTLEMENT

AWARDWe are delighted to report that WEA Partner QUANTA Training recently won the prestigious lsquoPathfinder International magazine Award for Service Leaversrsquo Training Company of the Yearrsquo at the Nationwide Resettlement Awards 2016 in Manchester

Quanta encourages service personnel to think about their professional development long before they have an exit date Furthermore Quanta works heavily with companies that employ service leavers such as military contractors Delegates trained by Quanta complete feedback forms after their course From all resettlement delegates Quantarsquos average overall feedback score is 5516 while their trainers scored at 5586 both increases from last year

If you would like to know more about the courses Quanta have to offer please contact Kate or Amanda on 01905 734184

YOUR WHITE ENSIGN ASSOCIATION

The White Ensign Association was created over 55 years ago in a collaboration between senior figures in the City of London and the Board of the Admiralty and the makeup of its council of trustees today still very much reflects its maritime and financial roots with a mix of influential figures from the City and distinguished retired senior officers They charge the small staff of the WEA with the performance of four key roles in support of serving and former members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines and their families

Guidance and advice on the transition from a career and life in the Royal Navy to one out of uniform

The provision of unbiased and professional guidance on matters of personal finance including financial awareness training for all newly

joined sailors and marines

Advice and assistance on all matters of civilian employment including job hunting techniques CV guidance mentoring business start up

and self-employment

Assistance and support on welfare and personal matters

The charityrsquos services are delivered through a mixture of personal visits and interviews complemented by lectures and presentations We presented to nearly 15 of the Naval Service last year handled well over a thousand personal enquiries and undertook just over six hundred face to face interviews with the Naval Community seeing everybody from a young lady in her 3rd month in the Navy with a personal debt problem retiring Regimental Sergeant Majors and Admirals through to a naval widow who has been the victim of a timeshare scam and an eighty two year old veteran who had some legal concerns

The bulk of our activity is associated with helping sailors and marines make a successful transition from a service to civilian existence focussing particularly on the personal finance and second career aspirations of the individual With assistance from a plethora of supporters and professional experts we aim to help career servicemen and women to start the second stage of their and their familiesrsquo lives on a secure financial footing and in a career or role that suits their talents

Another important strand to our work is the financial education of those young men and women entering the Naval Service for most of whom this is their first experience of full time salaried employment Our aim is to highlight good individual and family financial practices as well as warn about the many pitfalls and risks involved in personal finance and debt This initiative is fully supported by the Royal Navy who ensures that we are seen by all new entrants

This work is delivered through a small staff of five who although based on HMS BELFAST spend most of their time visiting Royal Navy and Royal Marines units and establishments around the UK

YOUR WHITE ENSIGN ASSOCIATION

The White Ensign Association was created over 55 years ago in a collaboration between senior figures in the City of London and the Board of the Admiralty and the makeup of its council of trustees today still very much reflects its maritime and financial roots with a mix of influential figures from the City and distinguished retired senior officers They charge the small staff of the WEA with the performance of four key roles in support of serving and former members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines and their families

Guidance and advice on the transition from a career and life in the Royal Navy to one out of uniform

The provision of unbiased and professional guidance on matters of personal finance including financial awareness training for all newly

joined sailors and marines

Advice and assistance on all matters of civilian employment including job hunting techniques CV guidance mentoring business start up

and self-employment

Assistance and support on welfare and personal matters

The charityrsquos services are delivered through a mixture of personal visits and interviews complemented by lectures and presentations We presented to nearly 15 of the Naval Service last year handled well over a thousand personal enquiries and undertook just over six hundred face to face interviews with the Naval Community seeing everybody from a young lady in her 3rd month in the Navy with a personal debt problem retiring Regimental Sergeant Majors and Admirals through to a naval widow who has been the victim of a timeshare scam and an eighty two year old veteran who had some legal concerns

The bulk of our activity is associated with helping sailors and marines make a successful transition from a service to civilian existence focussing particularly on the personal finance and second career aspirations of the individual With assistance from a plethora of supporters and professional experts we aim to help career servicemen and women to start the second stage of their and their familiesrsquo lives on a secure financial footing and in a career or role that suits their talents

Another important strand to our work is the financial education of those young men and women entering the Naval Service for most of whom this is their first experience of full time salaried employment Our aim is to highlight good individual and family financial practices as well as warn about the many pitfalls and risks involved in personal finance and debt This initiative is fully supported by the Royal Navy who ensures that we are seen by all new entrants

This work is delivered through a small staff of five who although based on HMS BELFAST spend most of their time visiting Royal Navy and Royal Marines units and establishments around the UK