A FULL-FIBRE internet to the home company has been recognised for its stance on employing military personnel.
Zzoomm, which is installing the fibre-to-the-home service in parts of Henley, was given the Silver ERS (Employment Recognition Scheme), which acknowledges that the firm is a forces-friendly employer and supports Serving personnel and their families, Service Leavers, Veterans and Cadet Forces.
It comes just eight months after the business achieved the Bronze version.
Richard Sinclair MBE, who is also an army veteran, and is now Zzoomm’s chief operations officer, said: “I am delighted that our focus on the military community has been recognised.
“We are working very closely with the armed forces to support servicemen and women transferring into the civilian workplace as well as those who are reservists.
“Currently, we have 47 veterans, reservists and/or family members of the armed forces working at Zzoomm – some 10% of the total workforce.
“As we are actively recruiting from this valued pool of talent, I expect this number to continue to increase.”
He continued: “Two examples of ex-military Zzoommer are Allan Fairhurst and Joanne Hitchmough.
“Allan is now one of our Lead Build Assurance Engineers, having served for several years in the Royal Logistics Corp including in Afghanistan. He is also a reservist.
“Joanne is a Lead Recruiter for Civils across all Zzoomm towns. She joined Zzoomm directly having served 30 years in the Army latterly as an Army Recruiter.”
Ms Hitchmough said that her manager understood it would take time to settle in to the new way of working.
“From day one it has felt like I was part of a team – it seemed like I had been posted into a new unit.”
And the company’s chief executive said he was proud the firm had achieved this recognition.
“We will continue to welcome and support Zzoommers from a military background and those who want to continue in the reservists,” said Matthew Hare.
“They are all a key part of the rapidly expanding Zzoommer community.”
