‘Your county needs you’ – search gets underway for new Armed Forces Commissioner for Suffolk

Suffolk is seeking a new Armed Forces Commissioner.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the UK Armed Forces community in the county for a three-year period from mid-March 2025.

This voluntary, non-political role includes chairing the Suffolk Armed Forces Covenant Board, set up by Suffolk County Council and partners to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces and their families, are treated fairly.

Suffolk is home to Wattisham Flying Station, RAF Honington, Rock Barracks near Woodbridge, plus reservists based in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, RAF Honington and Lowestoft.

There are an estimated 30,000 veterans in Suffolk of which around 10,000 are of working age.

The Board’s work includes help with wellbeing for veterans and families, encouraging GP practices to become ‘Veteran Friendly’ accredited, and providing additional educational and emotional support for children from service families.

Lee Holloway, the current Armed Forces Commissioner for Suffolk and a former naval officer, said: “It has been a privilege to lead the county’s Covenant Board in supporting our Armed Forces.

“There is an increasing and diverse range of support services which have come about through partnership working whether they are delivered by professionals or indeed volunteers. I wish my successor the very best of luck.”

Councillor Mick Fraser, Armed Forces Champion at Suffolk County Council said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to provide independent leadership to Suffolk’s military community, whilst also working closely with our council and other partners to drive organisational change that’s of real benefit for our Armed Forces.

“I’d like to thank Lee Holloway for all his work over his term. I have no doubt that we’ll find the right replacement and would urge those interested to come forward and apply now.”

Anyone wishing to apply must be able to volunteer 16 days (split into 32 half days) of their time in total each year, but it is not a prerequisite for a candidate to have directly served in the UK Armed Forces.

They will, however, need to learn about issues affecting the local UK Armed Forces community – consisting of regular military, the reserves, service families, veterans, and cadets.

Applications for the voluntary position will be accepted until 5pm on Friday 17th January 2025, to enable the successful candidate to start their three-year appointment in mid-March 2025.

Further information on the vacancy, application process and Suffolk’s Armed Forces Covenant can be found at: www.suffolkmilitarycovenant.org.uk