Plexal, the innovation company solving society’s challenges through collaboration with government, startups and industry, has officially become a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and made a promise to those who proudly protect our nation.
The official signing took place at Plexal Stratford on Thursday 23rd March, with Plexal CEO Andrew Roughan committing to the Armed Forces Covenant in the presence of General Sir Jim Hockenhull, Commander of UK Strategic Command, and alongside Here East CEO Gavin Poole, as part of Strategic Command’s annual conference which Plexal was delighted to host.
Plexal pledges to acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.
Plexal is committed to working with HMG and supporting its mission to keep the nation safe, which we do through facilitating responsible use of technology for national security.
National security is one of Plexal’s focus areas, which we proudly support through our innovation programmes and network, as well as emerging technologies and prosperity. This means we understand the mission-critical importance of defence in maintaining our way of life and keeping us safe.
As threats continue to evolve and grow, such as cyber-attacks putting our critical national infrastructure at risk, we recognise how collaboration and innovation can create a competitive advantage for the government and Armed Forces, enhancing their protection of the nation.
Commenting on our Armed Forces Covenant pledge, Plexal CEO Andrew Roughan says: “We’re incredibly passionate about the defence sector and have former Armed Forces personnel in the Plexal team and network.
“For me, it’s an absolute honour to publicly sign the Armed Forces Covenant in the company of General Sir Jim Hockenhull. It was a pleasure doing so publicly at our Stratford workspace in front of our members and we’re delighted to be in a position where we can proudly spread the purpose of the Armed Forces Covenant.”
Saj Huq, Plexal CCO and Director of Innovation, who started his career in the Royal Air Force where he was a commissioned officer and pilot, adds: “Having served in the RAF, I have seen how members of the Armed Forces are committed to serving a purpose bigger than themselves. This ethos is also core to our mission at Plexal and drives our innovation work, including our ongoing collaborations with the likes of DSIT and the NCSC, to further UK prosperity and national security.”
James Gayner, Plexal Director of Defence, who spent 20 years in the British Army, concludes:
“We’re proud to demonstrate our commitment to the Armed Forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. Plexal exists to inherit the mission of the nation’s government and drive better outcomes through innovation; so defence, the MOD and the Armed Forces are incredibly important to us.
“We recognise and pay tribute to the skill, bravery and sacrifices of the Armed Forces’ incredible men and women. As General Jim reminded us during the conference, those people are the MOD’s most important asset. They’re also the pride of the nation. I personally can bear testament to how Plexal values and respects ex-military personnel, and we’re determined this is just the first step and that our involvement in the scheme will grow in lock-step with our burgeoning involvement in this sector.”
