by Richard Cosgrove | Wed 14 Jan 2026
Finning reaffirms commitment to military veterans
Finning has been awarded the prestigious gold award from The Armed Forces Covenant for its ongoing support for veterans and the armed forces community in the UK.
The Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) represents the highest level of recognition for the commitment to the Armed Forces community and it is the second time that Finning UK & Ireland, the world’s largest dealer of Cat® machines, engines, parts and aftermarket services have been awarded the accolade.
The award recognises employers that provide a fair and equal chance for prospective employees from military backgrounds, serving as a marker of the highest standard for companies that continue to provide exemplary support for the Armed Forces community.
The scheme is now in its 12th year, and Finning, who originally received the award five years ago, has continued to advocate for achieving a diverse and inclusive culture throughout this time.
Finning currently employs 35-40 military veterans across its UK and Ireland operations. Chris Clarke, Technical Capability Lead at Finning UK & Ireland is one such veteran who made the transition from military to civilian life.
Chris said: “When I worked as part of the recruitment team at Finning, I not only got to work closely with new recruits but also provided support to anyone in the armed forces who was looking to pursue a civilian career. My first-hand experience of making this transition certainly helped with the role, and I am proud to work for a company that acknowledges the importance and transferability of the skills gained in military service.”
Chris joined the army in 1999 where he worked as a Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer. Here he developed his skills repairing armoured vehicles. After leaving the army in 2007 he utilised these skills in plant and HGV companies, before joining Finning in 2012 as an engineer.
As part of its commitment Finning has also pledged to help support the employment of veterans by establishing links with a career transition partner to attract ex-military talent into their business.
Lynne Smith, General Manager, People & Culture at Finning UK & Ireland said: “We are dedicated to supporting veterans such as Chris and recognise they bring invaluable skills and experiences, making them a tremendous asset in engineering careers. The expertise gained through military service is highly transferable, and we are proud to see a growing number of former military personnel thriving in their careers with us.
“We are immensely proud of requalifying for the Gold Award from The Armed Forces Covenant. Recognising our commitment to the armed forces, this award demonstrates that our culture and practices ensure fairness, inclusion, and opportunity for service personnel, veterans, and their families. Requalification affirms our pride in those who serve, our integrity in upholding the Covenant, and our determination to sustain a lasting legacy of respect and support for future generations. Together, we are building an exciting career path for armed forces veterans.”
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