During a visit to a social housing development in his constituency Al Carns MP, Minister for Veterans and People, recognised GreenSquareAccord’s commitment to supporting the defence community.

GreenSquareAccord (GSA), one of England’s largest providers of housing, are a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) and participate in the their employer recognition scheme.

The AFC is a pledge to acknowledge 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.

Al Carns MP, who represents Birmingham Selly Oak, met GSA’s Head of Construction David Norris and Assistant Site Manager Darren Wright during a visit to the Stirchley Co-operative Building- which is being built by GSA’s in-house construction team.

Having enlisted in the British Army at the age of 16 and serving in the Royal Engineers Regiment for six years, David Norris has worked in various construction roles for more than a quarter of a century. He joined GSA as a Technical Manager in October 2020 and then took over the helm of in-house Construction team less than two years later.

Darren Wright gave twelve years of service as an Armed Forces Reservist and is now Assistant Site Manager within our in-house Construction team.

Al Carns MP and Minister for Veterans and People said: “It was fantastic to meet Darren and David on site at the new Stirchley Co-operative Development. Between the three of us, we have over 50 years of service to our country. It is always a pleasure to meet fellow veterans and see the great work they are doing in society and in our local community.

“I am pleased that GSA has demonstrated their commitment to veterans and reservists though their support for the AFC, and I would like to congratulate them on attaining a Silver award in the employee recognition scheme.”

Reflecting on his sit down with the Minister for Veterans and People, David Norris Head of Construction at GSA said: “I have worked at GSA and one of its legacy organisations for almost five years and continue to enjoy the challenges which come my way.

“GSA is a great employer with a lot to offer former service people. I was pleased to share with Al our recent success stories in our in-house Construction team such as Passingham Place in Redditch and Springvale phase two which will soon provide homes for social rent for the community in Bilston.”

In November 2022 we were awarded ‘Silver Status’ in the AFC Employer Recognition Scheme having attained a ‘Bronze’ grade previously.

To be awarded silver status organisations must: have signed the AFC, stated their intent to be supportive by using the Employer Recognition Scheme website to register at the Bronze Level, demonstrated that Service personnel and the Armed Forces community are not disadvantaged as part of their recruiting and selection processes and ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards Defence People issues through references in job descriptions or on the organisation’s website.

Silver award winners must also demonstrate support for mobilisations or have a framework in place for Reserves and allow for training by providing at least five days of additional leave.

Find out more about our commitment to the AFC covenant here.