Howden UK Group Ltd
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

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 Howden UK Group Ltd 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 Howden UK Group Ltd 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
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Armed Forces Charities
We also pledge the following:

Employment support to members of the Armed Forces Community Provide paid employment opportunities through the Lloyds Military Network placement scheme. Provide paid and unpaid work opportunities for service leavers within their resettlement period from regular service. Provide industry mentors to members of the Armed Forces community aiming to transition into insurance. Communications, Engagement & Outreach Hold internal discussions about representing the Armed Forces Community in Howden through a recognised Employee Resource Group. Host events with military organisations and the Lloyds Military Network about supporting employees across the community. Support Reservists, cadet force volunteers and families with additional leave and flexibility around training and disruption Our individual leave policy allows for 5 additional days paid leave to conduct Annual Continuous Training in the Armed Forces Reserve or Cadet Forces Endeavouring to offer flexibility in granting leave and flexible working for service spouses and partners when disrupted by deployments or change of address through posting Supporting military charities through donations and promoting their work; encouraging events and activities to employees In 2023 and 2024 Howden was a lead contributor to the Lloyds Patriotic Fund Slip Campaign, raising £40,000 for Armed Forces support charities. Supporting the Royal British Legion as a hosting location for London Poppy Day. We are a proud contributor to the Lloyds Remembrance Service, providing volunteers to administrate the event. Actively support the Lloyds Military Network, its activities, and causes We provide coaching and education for other companies in the Lloyds Market to develop their armed forces offer to existing and potential employees

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.