Digital technology and cyber security specialist 6point6 has been named Employer of the Year by the English Veterans Awards, with two veteran employees also awarded Bronze in the Leader of the Year and Role Model of the Year award categories.

The Veterans Awards, a not-for-profit organisation, is dedicated to recognising exemplary veterans, reservists and companies that support the ex-forces community. As winner of the Employer of the Year category, 6point6 has been recognised as leading the way for businesses attracting, recruiting, training and supporting veterans transitioning to roles outside of service careers. 

The awards ceremony, held in Bristol on 21 September, also saw 6point6 employees Daniel McCoy, Associate Director of Information Assurance, and Andrew Kershaw, Principal Consultant, awarded Bronze in the Leader of the Year and Role Model of the Year award categories respectively.

“A two-year transformation has seen us redefine how we attract and retain service leavers,” says Sue Carruthers, Chief People Officer, 6point6. “Veteran hires have more than doubled, and our ex-forces population has grown to over 7% of our total workforce – a number far higher than the national average. None of this would be possible without our incredible veteran community and the help of external veteran charities and specialist organisations such as TechVets, who have supported us to shift our culture to be intentionally inclusive for everyone.”

The Employer of the Year award recognises the wraparound support 6point6 has introduced to attract and support veterans and service personnel, who may not have conventional career paths and come with specific needs. Examples of support over and above 6point6’s top-of-the-range staff benefits include:

• All qualified veterans who apply to roles advertised at 6point6 are guaranteed an interview.
• Longer lead times (up to one year from accepting the job to starting new positions) for offers of employment to better support veterans through their resettlement period.
• Support to help the orientation into corporate life, including a buddy programme for all veterans joining 6point6 up to 3 months prior to starting their role and ‘Meet the team’ days for newly transitioned veterans before they join 6point6.
• A generous reservist policy of up to 12 days paid leave a year for reservists.
• Community Partnership with Help for Heroes to deliver awareness sessions and equip managers with specialised knowledge to understand the unique challenges faced by veterans.
• Time earmarked for volunteering, empowering veterans to champion the causes they care about; from fundraising in support of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal to coordinating, sorting and transporting aid for the White Eagle Ukraine Appeal.

“Inclusivity by design is what we stand for at 6point6,” adds Sue Carruthers. “Our expanding client base and year-on-year exponential growth is powered by a diverse workforce attracting and recruiting those who don’t fit the usual tech consultancy mould. For many years we have supported serving personnel, service leavers, veterans and their families – a long-standing commitment that was reaffirmed when we became signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant last year and within 12 months gained Silver award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.”

“Veterans come with skills and qualities that are highly sought after: fast adaptability to change, resilience and grit, speedy logical thinking, the spirit of camaraderie and teamwork. By hiring veterans and service personnel, we are expanding our understanding of what it means to build the best place to work.”

Nefyn Jones, Chief Executive Officer, said:

“After years of service, our veterans join us looking to make a meaningful impact in their new civilian careers. At 6point6, they find not just a job but a mission-driven environment where they can work on high-profile central government and national infrastructure projects.

Our employees have told us that they find genuine fulfilment in their work, making a direct and positive impact to transform the digital services and capabilities of public sector organisations. This makes 6point6 a natural first step into a civilian career for our service leavers, whose skills, experience and commitment to effecting positive change add immense value to our team and ultimately touch the lives of millions of citizens.”

Daniel McCoy, Associate Director of Information Assurance and Bronze award winner, commented:

“Transition from military to civilian life is a reorientation of life that requires patience and understanding, both personally and professionally. 6point6 has welcomed veterans into the world of technology, helping them to bridge the gap between military and civilian roles by recognising their worth, creating an environment where they can thrive and develop successful careers across the technology sector.

6point6 provides and promotes a professional environment founded on empathy, and with the help of the internal veteran community, we’re shaping a smoother, much welcomed ease into civilian life.”

For more information on joining 6point6, visit our career opportunities or contact our recruitment team.

About the Veterans Awards

In association with ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, the Veterans Awards is a not-for-profit organisation committed to supporting the veteran community. The Awards recognise and celebrate veterans who have excelled in their relevant fields to inspire future service leavers, as well as companies that go the extra mile to support or recruit from the ex-forces community. Funds raised through the Awards are reinvested in the veteran community through the small grants scheme.

Find out more about the Veterans Awards here.