London Stock Exchange Group
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 London Stock Exchange Group 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 London Stock Exchange Group 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:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Armed Forces Charities
- UK Wounded, Injured And Sick
We also pledge the following:
Promoting the Armed Forces. We shall seek every opportunity to raise awareness of the Armed Forces and the importance of the Armed Forces Covenant with our members and our wider network. Raising Awareness of Veterans. We shall encourage our Veterans and our wider network to promote the importance of supporting the employment of Veterans through recognising military skills and qualifications during recruitment and selection processes. Employment Support to the Armed Forces Community. We shall always look to support the whole community, understanding the unique challenges and barriers they face in employment and reasonable adjusts required to support them. Promoting the Reserves. As an employer, we shall encourage service with the Reserves and support the needs of any colleagues arising through their Service. We shall make appropriate provision for those undertaking training activities with the Reserves including additional leave for annual training and support to any Mobilisations or Deployments. Supporting our Affiliated Units. We shall further our longstanding association with, and support for, the Armed Forces through our Military Affiliations, including the award of prizes to young leaders that recognise excellence in operational delivery and technical training and through regular invitations for service personnel to attend LSEG events. Supporting our Cadet Organisations. We shall continue to support our affiliated military Cadet units through annual grants and awards. National Events. We shall continue to support and encourage our members to support Armed Forces Day, Reserves Day, the Poppy Appeal and Remembrance activities. Armed Forces Charities. We shall continue to honour and celebrate the work and sacrifice of the Armed Forces through annual grants and donations to Armed Forces charities.
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.