Amey celebrates 15 years in partnership with Royal British Legion Industries
Global consulting firm Amey has marked 15 years of partnership with the Royal British Legion’s national industrial charity, which helps veterans and people with disabilities to access employment. To celebrate the occasion, Amey and veterans from Royal British Legion Industries visited the Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing company, to see the impact their partnership continues to make.
Founded in 1921 as a voice for the ex-forces community, following the devastation of the First World War, the Royal British Legion has since become best known for its annual Poppy Appeal and Remembrance services each November. However, the Legion is also a campaigning organisation that promotes the welfare and interests of current and former members of the British Armed Forces all year round.
One way it attempts to make a difference for the UK’s veteran community is through the activities of the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) charity. Each year, 16,000 service men and women move from the armed forces to civilian lives, embarking on their second career following the forces. Around 1,000 of those individuals is likely to have suffered physical and mental injuries from their time at war. The RBLI supports veterans and people with disabilities by providing them with training and employment, via its social enterprises.
2023 marks a landmark for the RBLI and its long-term partner Amey. The consulting firm has supported the charity for 15 years, over which time a statement from Amey says it has “spent more than £4.3 million with the RBLI and its social enterprises over the partnership”. By the firm’s calculations, these investments have contributed more than £730,000 to the economy in terms of social value.
Speaking on the relationship with Amey, Michelle York, the RBLI’s director of social enterprises commercial said, “It’s our partnerships with longstanding customers which enable us to grow. Amey has been key to this over the last 15 years, enabling us to provide employment and development for veterans, and to keep up with our competitors by investing in new technology. Our continued partnership makes a difference every day to the lives of veterans and people with disabilities by providing vital employment and training.”
The partnership, which began in 2008, has enabled RBLI to create five more employment opportunities every year through its social enterprises to veterans and people with disabilities. Already this year alone, RBLI’s factories have produced over 26,000 signs for Amey’s highways and rail network.
In celebration of the continuing partnership, Amey and RBLI veterans visited Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC) – the RBLI’s Scottish social enterprise – where they shared their stories and ideas on how to strengthen the collaboration. The event also saw the visitors witness first-hand the impact of the partnership on the lives of SBMC employees, who benefit from a supportive work environment, personal development opportunities, and a sense of purpose and belonging.
Peter Anderson, managing director of transport infrastructure at Amey, added, “Visiting the SBMC site and listening to both Amey and RBLI veterans highlights the importance of what we do and the positive impact that we, as a business, can have on improving individual lives for the better. Our armed forces are the epitome of endurance, duty and sacrifice and at Amey, we are proud to be associated with this community of individuals. Not only supporting RBLI, but also recruiting veterans into roles at Amey. Our relationship with RBLI is a cherished one and one that will continue to grow.”
