SMMT 103rd Annual Dinner
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders annual dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel showcased the Mission Automotive initiative - guests were greeted on entry by the Poppycar and two Troopers of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
Mike Hawes, Mission Motorsport intro
· Thank you George.
· As you will probably have noticed from the display at the entrance to the event and from your programmes, we are doing something a little bit differently this year.
· On your tables you will see envelopes for Mission Motorsport. Now some of you will be familiar with the organisation and its work. SMMT has been working with them over the last year as they launched their new initiative - Mission Automotive.
· Mission Automotive was created to help get ex-service people – many of whom have disabilities of some sort or another – into our sector. They have been doing a fantastic job and I know a number of you are supporting them by helping provide jobs and, hopefully, a career path for these talented individuals.
· Our sector has a massive skills gaps so we desperately need people like these and we need them in ever greater numbers.
· So to tell you a little more, and to encourage you to give as generously as I know you will, let me introduce you to the Chief Executive of Mission Motorsport, Mr James Cameron.
Mike, thank you. Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Mission Motorsport was formed in 2012 to formalise and develop an avenue of recovery sport for those whose lives have been affected by military service. Over the last 8 years, we’ve run programs from the low level, targeting the hard-to-reach – to the grand stage of the Invictus Games. Since its launch, over 2000 wounded, injured or sick beneficiaries have been engaged through the charity’s work.
Race, Retrain, Recover reflects that while sport is restorative and healing, it is most effective where it is used to promote wider recovery. Our training and vocational focus has brought us alongside partners like Jaguar Land Rover, whose Armed Forces engagement program we help deliver. With JLR alone we have helped over a thousand service leavers and veterans into new careers.
In March, together with the SMMT we launched a new initiative in partnership with the Royal Foundation – the charitable trust of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and with the Ministry of Defence.
The Mission Automotive initiative helps companies to develop their own Armed Forces Engagement scheme using the Armed Forces Covenant to meet Corporate, Brand and HR goals. It has allowed us to introduce companies like Toyota GB to Iraq veterans like Martin:
We are now privileged to work alongside new members like Toyota, Volvo, Westway Nissan and Cummins – but it is equally relevant to the SMEs like Morgan Motor Company, Alcon Components and Amethyst Automotive who are investing in in their culture, in values, in employee satisfaction, in retention – and in building successful communities of their own.
The Duke of Cambridge has made veteran employment a focus – because he sees the strategic goal. It is our responsibility to ensure that servicemen and women - like Martin, in whom so much has been invested, are not
· Under employed – falling short of their potential
· Unemployed – unable to support their families
· Under a bridge - homeless or destitute
· Or worse - a statistic
If they thrive, then we as a community build a better industry – and in turn, a better society.
All three services use 4 to 600 Volt range equipment routinely, ‘High Voltage’ in the military is not 110V, but is the terminology for over a thousand. We help translate so that companies tap into leaders. Innovators. Grafters. Those amongst them who have suffered through traumatic injury, or through trauma itself need not be defined by a ‘stress disorder’ – but instead by post traumatic growth.
Industry can change lives
Thank you, sincerely to the SMMT and to the members for your support for this initiative.
This is just the beginning. Please, get in touch.
