Mike joined Brunel in 2014, moving from Henley Business School to be the Director of College Operations for Health, Medicine and Life Sciences. Arriving with an active role in the Army Reserve and significant time served in the Armed Forces he was impressed with how Brunel recognised the value of that experience and the support provided to employees who served in the Reserve Forces.
Mike explains: "Reserve Forces’ activity offers a flexible, professional and rewarding part-time commitment which directly supports UK Defence. Through the additional paid leave that Reservists receive under Brunel’s Volunteering Policy, I’ve been able to deploy to Kenya and the Philippines whilst contributing to the security operations for Harry and Meghan’s wedding. As Brunel’s Armed Forces Covenant Champion I’ve been able to influence the enhancement of our Volunteering Policy, with Brunel now one of the UK’s most supportive employers of Reserve Forces and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers."
Mike returned to uniform for 6 months in April 2020, deploying on Operation RESCRIPT, the UK military’s involvement in the national Covid-19 emergency. Brunel was very supportive of this, despite the obvious pressures of a significant shift in tempo and ways of working at the time. He adds “Brunel has fantastic, supportive HR policies which allow staff to fully engage with the Reserve Forces and to serve as Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. At the same time, the Volunteering Policy’s 18 paid leave days a year enables me to routinely work in a different but equally challenging and high-pressure military environment where I can develop valuable skills to bring back to Brunel."
As Brunel’s Armed Forces Covenant Champion I’ve been able to influence the enhancement of our Volunteering Policy, with Brunel now one of the UK’s most supportive employers of Reserve Forces and Cadet Instructors.