Cencora Alliance Healthcare
We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.
The Armed Forces Covenant
An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.
Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.
Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant
1.1 We Cencora Alliance Healthcare will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment
2.1 Cencora Alliance Healthcare recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Enhance Veteran and Reservist Recruitment:
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Cencora commits to a dedicated recruitment pathway for veterans and reservists across UK operations in HR, IT, warehouse logistics, and customer services. This includes guaranteed interviews for qualified candidates and sustained mentorship via the Veterans in Action (VIA) Employee Resource Group (ERG). Rebecca Clothier, Talent Acquisition Lead, has affirmed full team support.
- Strategic partnerships will include:
- Career Transition Partnership (CTP): Official UK Armed Forces resettlement service aiding service leavers’ civilian transitions.
- Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCA): Regional network connecting military, communities, employers, and education for over 100,000 reservists and cadets.
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To maximise reach, we will establish Cencora Talent Acquisition presence at one or more of the 30+ annual UK career fairs, supported by VIA volunteer representatives.
- Learning and Development Opportunities for Service Leavers at Cencora UK
Leveraging our robust Learning & Development (L&D) infrastructure—including the Degreed Learning Portal, upskilling resources, and training budgets—we will tailor programs for service leavers, aligning military expertise in leadership, logistics, and resilience with civilian roles in HR, IT, warehouse operations, and customer services. VIA ERG mentorship and CTP partnerships will drive long-term career progression. Further refinements on this initiative can be added.
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- Engage in Community Support :
- The VIA ERG will lead UK-wide volunteering, expanding on existing Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Day activities. Partnerships with entities like the Royal British Legion will enable initiatives such as care kit assemblies for hospitalised veterans or broader welfare support.
- These will integrate into our inclusion and Corporate Responsibility (CR) calendar, with a recommended dedicated UK event to heighten impact.
- Promoting the Armed Forces
- Cencora will amplify AFC awareness globally through visibility and narrative efforts, highlighting military skills’ value in pharmaceutical solutions and healthcare delivery across UK and US.
- Key commitments:
- Dedicated Channels: Feature prominent sections on the corporate website and internal platforms showcasing military talent relevance.
- Storytelling: Incorporate veteran profiles in our internal communications and social media to illustrate contributions to supply chain resilience and patient care.
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Encouraging Reserve Forces and Cadet Volunteering at Cencora UK through VIA ERG, CTP, and RFCA collaborations, we will promote Reserves and Cadets volunteering, offering flexible accommodations, recognition, and engagement. This aligns with ERS and AFC standards, enhancing employee resilience, skills, and our forces-friendly employer status.
- Supporting Fundraising for Armed Forces Charities
- Cencora will facilitate employee-led fundraising via VIA ERG and Corporate Responsibility (CR) alignment, targeting observances like Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Sunday.
- Commitments include:
- Matched Donations: Pound-for-pound matching on contributions to verified charities (e.g., Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes), capped annually per participant, via our global giving platform.
- Awareness Drives: Internal campaigns, social media, and VIA events featuring virtual challenges and veteran cause spotlights.
- Event Sponsorships: Financial or in-kind support (e.g., logistics, branding) for UK military events like charity galas or marathons.
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.