The Forshaw Group is thrilled to appoint Nicola Gale as our new Forces Liaison and Armed Forces Covenant Champion.
Having worked at The Forshaw Group since 2022 as part of the accounts team, Nicola will take on these additional duties.
Speaking of her appointment, Nicola says, “Being part of an ex-military family, this role is close to my heart.
“I met my husband whilst he was on exercise with the Army in the North West. This was to cover for the Fire Service during its strikes in 2002, handling Green Goddess fire engines.
“My husband had trained at ATR Pirbright and Lark Hill. After we married, I moved with him to Marne Barracks in Catterick. I was quickly welcomed as part of the Forces family, getting involved with the social, sporting and support events.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a ‘military wife’. Over the years I supported many who left the forces or were being drafted to other countries, as my husband was then part of the Artic Troop, working out in Norway for sometimes months at a time.
“My biggest challenge was supporting my husband’s decision to leave the Armed Forces and forge a new life for us. With this in mind, I feel I can implement my knowledge of the Forces with the collaboration between The Forshaw Group and the Armed Forces Covenant.”
North West Gold Award Association (GAA) Autumn Conference
To celebrate the start of her new role, Nicola attended the North West Gold Award Association (GAA) Autumn Conference, held at Haydock Park, on Thursday 27 September.
Nicola explains, “I had the honour of attending the conference on behalf of the Forshaw Group as part of its Gold Armed Forces Covenant status.
“I had the pleasure of meeting the new Chair, Diane Haddock, who explained her vision of how members of the Gold Award Association can work closely with businesses to offer support, employment, and training opportunities to Forces leavers, Reservists and Cadets.”
Guest speakers at the event included Rachel Evans, the National GAA co-chair, Scott Briggs from Walking With The Wounded (WWTW), Martin Morris, Wing Commander from the RAF and Lt. Col. Glyn Potts, Deputy Colonel for Cadets NW, who all offered success stories, help, support and guidance on some of the differences businesses can make to those involved currently or previously with the Armed Forces.
Nicola continues, “62 representatives of businesses from all across the North West attended, who were all there with the same vision.
“It was great to meet with so many like-minded people and share some of the differences that The Forshaw Group has already made, such as with the refurbishment of Huyton Sea Cadet Unit and more recently by attending the Merseyside Armed Forces Employment Fair.”
She concludes, “I look forward to working alongside these great organisations and have some great ideas on how The Forshaw Group can get more involved in the future.”
Right to left: Diane Haddock NW GAA chair, Rachel Evans National GAA co-chair and Kairen Smith NW GAA vice chair
Speaking of Nicola’s new appointment, our managing director, Liam Hanlon says, “We are delighted to have Nicola Gale join us as our new Forces Liaison and Armed Forces Covenant Champion.
“Her involvement in the Armed Forces and first-hand knowledge of the life this involves, and the impact leaving the services can have on individuals as well as their families, will be a boon to our company in how we can best support ex-service men and women in the future.”
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