Demonstrating a continued commitment to the Armed Forces, C3IA Solutions, a leading provider of technical and security services across public and private sectors, re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant in a ceremony at Blandford Camp on Thursday, 7th March.
The event was attended by Deputy Chief of the General Staff and Master of Signals, Lieutenant General Dame Sharon Nesmith (DCB), Wessex RFCA’s Employer Engagement Director, Emily Kadoch, and C3IA’s Managing Director and former Royal Signals officer, John Botterill. The re-signing underscores the company’s enduring commitment to the military community and its long-standing relationship with the Royal Signals, the Army’s leaders in IT, cyber and telecommunications.
The Armed Forces Covenant, first signed by C3IA in 2016, is a commitment by the UK government to ensure that members of the Armed Forces Community are treated fairly, recognising the unique sacrifices made by service personnel. It involves collaboration between the government, businesses, local authorities, and charities to provide support and opportunities for veterans, reservists and their families.
The re-signing of the Armed Forces Covenant is another significant milestone for C3IA, a reflection of the strong and supportive relationship with Wessex RFCA, and its continued advocacy for the scheme and its members. Specialising in system engineering, ICT, information assurance and NCSC-assured cyber services, C3IA plays a pivotal role in supporting the delivery of critical defence programmes. As such, it provides opportunities for those trained in IT, cyber security and telecommunications to utilise their skills in civilian employment. The C3IA team supports and reflects the entire defence community, comprising veterans, reservists and military spouses, each bringing unique value through their diverse perspectives and experiences. The recent recognition with a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award further highlights C3IA’s pride in advocating for and supporting the Armed Forces community.
The Royal Corps of Signals holds particular significance for C3IA, with both founders of the company and numerous team members having formerly served in the Corps. The company sponsors numerous Royal Signals sports, supports the Royal Signals Museum, is a corporate member of the Royal Signals Institution and employs many Royal Signals reservists and veterans. Reflecting on the company’s relationship with the Royal Signals and the Armed Forces Covenant, C3IA’s Managing Director John Botterill said, “We are truly honoured that Dame Sharon counter-signed our recommitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, just as we were honoured when the previous Master counter-signed our original Covenant. Our company’s connection to the Royal Signals remains incredibly strong and its fantastic that we re-commit in this way, at the home of the Royal Corps of Signals and within the Wessex RFCA region.”
Founded 18 years ago, C3IA is headquartered in Poole, with a satellite office at the Business Cyber Centre in Chippenham, and delivery teams operating across various client sites. The company remains committed to upholding the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, and reinforcing its role as a Forces Friendly Organisation that values and supports the diverse contributions of the Armed Forces community.
