France wins the first Gold medal at this years Invictus Games in Orlando, USA.

Prince Harry takes part in the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge and awards France the first gold medal at Invictus Games Orlando 2016

• Prince Harry takes part in the final round of the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge and awards first gold medal at Invictus Games 2016
• Wounded ex-servicemen and women drive course in Jaguar XE and Land Rover Discovery Sport
• 11 competing nations kick off the Games in time-trial challenge
• France wins the first gold medal of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016
• Jaguar Land Rover is the presenting partner for the Invictus Games Orlando 2016, May 8-12

Prince Harry showed his support for the 11 competing nations taking part in the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge. Prince Harry, founder of the Invictus Games and patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, awarded the first gold medal to France for their communication, team-work and strategic planning skills in the two time-trials using the Jaguar XE and Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Two team members from each of the 11 competing nations took part in the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge, fulfilling the roles of driver and navigator. Rober Philippe and M. Rebujent Haller secured gold for France, with Estonia and Denmark securing silver and bronze medals respectively.

Before presenting the winners medals, Prince Harry took to the last round of the challenge by joining Estonia on the Land Rover course and Denmark on the Jaguar course to show his support to the teams in the first competitive medal event of the Games.

Jaguar Land Rover is Presenting Partner of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016, and proud sponsors of the US and UK Teams. Building on its sponsorship and support of the inaugural Invictus Games in London 2014, Jaguar Land Rover has increased their commitment to the Armed Forces and Veteran community as details of the new Jaguar Land Rover CALIBRE Partnership were announced last week. 

This collaboration will fund the training and hiring of 180 US Service Members this year across North American retailers, and follows the recruitment of over 200 Transitioning Service Members, Veterans, and currently serving members of the National Guard and Reserve in the UK since 2013.

Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Dr Ralf Speth, said: Today, the Invictus Games were opened by the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge. We were delighted to host 11 nations in their first medal opportunity. The competition was very tough.

I was honoured to meet with the passionate competitors to hear more about their own individual journey to Invictus Games. There is a close alignment of the values and the mind-set of Jaguar Land Rover and the vision of the Games. So, we are extremely proud to be the presenting partner. 

We are all grateful to HRH Prince Harry for founding and championing this visionary idea of the Games. We congratulate him and the organising committee on establishing yet another inspiring  Invictus Games.”

Joint training session for Land Rover BAR and UK Team for Invictus Games Orlando 2016 in Portsmouth.

• Joint training session for Land Rover BAR and UK Team for Invictus Games Orlando 2016 in Portsmouth
• Both team’s quest for glory begins on the same weekend in the US next month
• Invictus Games will take place in Orlando from 8-12 May, and the next stage of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series from 6-8 May in New York

Land Rover BAR hosted members of the UK Team preparing to compete at Invictus Games Orlando 2016, as both teams gear up to chase glory in America on the same weekend next month.

UK Team powerlifters Lucinda Allaway and Vicky Parrett, cyclist Andrew Kelsey and swimmer Zoe Williams, joined Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Ben Williams, Sir Ben Ainslie and the Land Rover BAR sailing team to focus on strength and power at the Portsmouth base. Both teams shared techniques in the gym and discussed tactics, motivation and mental preparation to succeed at top level sport.  

Sir Ben Ainslie, Land Rover BAR Team Principal and Skipper, said: “We are honoured to host members of the UK Team for Invictus Games Orlando 2016 in Portsmouth today.  Like us, the UK Team is in the final stretch of preparation for competition in America and it was really enjoyable mixing our training session to get insight into how they train individually across their own disciplines.

“As a professional athlete you give everything you can physically and mentally to succeed - meeting the Invictus Games UK Team members and hearing their personal stories of overcoming injury and trauma as a result of their services career; you realise that they go above and beyond to deliver on the sporting stage. Invictus Games is hugely inspiring and highlights the true power of sport in giving individuals strength and focus. Everyone at Land Rover BAR wishes the team well in Orlando and we hope to both return to the UK on back of success in the US!”

More than 180 wounded injured and sick military personnel and veterans trialled 10 sports for one of the 110 places available in the UK Team. The rigorous selection process was based on the benefit the Invictus Games will give an individual as part of their recovery, combined with performance and commitment to training.

Invictus Games Orlando 2016 UK Team member for swimming, Zoe Williams, born and raised in Portsmouth, said, “It was great to try out a different training method and talk to the Land Rover BAR team members about how they are approaching the America’s Cup and how that compares to our own training for Invictus Games. 

“Invictus Games has given me an opportunity to train and develop as an athlete but also meet and learn from some really inspiring people. Rehabilitation is very personal but I think all of the UK Team members preparing for the Games are benefitting from that sense of focus and purpose. To have the support of world class athletes like Sir Ben Ainslie and the Land Rover BAR team is fantastic and we are all even more motivated to succeed in Orlando after today. We wish the team the best of luck in New York.”

JLR hosts Invictus Games 2016 training session & selection event with UK Team ahead of the first task.

• Jaguar Land Rover hosts Invictus Games 2016 training session and selection event with UK Team ahead of the first medal opportunity in Orlando in May
• Zara Phillips and Billy Vunipola show their support for the UK Team, announced at Buckingham Palace by Prince Harry earlier this week
• 15 nations will compete for the first medal at Invictus Games 2016 at the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge in May
• Jaguar Land Rover is presenting partner of the Invictus Games which takes place in Orlando on 8-12 May and is proud sponsor of the UK Team

Land Rover Experience Centre at Eastnor Castle recently played host to members of the UK Team that will compete at the 2016 Invictus Games as preparations for the the international adaptive sporting event for Wounded Injured and Sick (WIS) servicemen and women get underway. 

Jaguar Land Rover hosted a full day’s training session and selection event for the Driving Challenge that will take place in Orlando on 7 May and provide all 15 competing nations with their first Invictus Games medal opportunity.

Eight of the UK Team were joined by Land Rover ambassadors and Invictus Games supporters, Zara Phillips and rugby star Billy Vunipola, who helped the competitors hone their skills and compete for the two places on offer to represent the UK in the Driving Challenge next month.

Splitting into navigator and driver pairings, the UK Team members took Range Rover Sports to the hills, tackling near impenetrable woodland and swamp-like conditions to test their communication, team-working and strategic planning skills. In a further test of speed and precision, Jaguar XEs were driven in a slalom-style challenge, negotiating obstacles and exercising vehicle control.

Coaching the teams through the challenge, Olympic Medallist Phillips and Grand Slam winner Vunipola, offered encouragement, advice and support as well as insight into their own preparations and approach to performance and motivation in their respective sports.  Both praised the UK Team competitors, saying that they would be cheering them on come May.

Zara Phillips said: “I really enjoyed supporting the Invictus Games in 2014 so I was delighted to be asked to be involved again this year. I was really pleased to be part of the challenge and announce the two UK Team members that will compete for the first medal in the driving challenge in Orlando in May. 

“Each member of the UK Invictus Games team should inspire us all, so I’m extremely proud to be a supporter of the Games and the Team through Land Rover. I’m looking forward to seeing the UK team in action and hopefully bringing home the first gold medal.”

Billy Vunipola added: “It was fantastic to meet the guys from the UK Team and inspiring to see how they go above and beyond to qualify to compete at the Invictus Games. I’ll be right behind them when it comes to Orlando in May and I am really proud to be supporting them through Land Rover.

“It was a good laugh being in the car with the competitors. Pretty scary at times but the vehicles are built for this and the guys weren’t bad drivers either!”

After a day of hard-fought competition, UK Team members Michael Westwell and Martin Clapton were the challengers to qualify for Orlando.

“We’re going to have the first opportunity at the 2016 Invictus Games to win a gold medal so we’ll have our fingers crossed,” Westwell said. “It’s been fantastic to get out and have a practice run and have the opportunity to meet two world class athletes in Zara Phillips and Billy Vunipola and listen to how they approach their own training and preparation. It’s been great to have the support of Jaguar Land Rover as sponsor of the UK Team and providing the first medal opportunity in Orlando - we’re going to be driving a couple of fantastic vehicles so hopefully we can do them proud and bring back the gold medal for the UK.”

Jaguar Land Rover is continuing its support of Invictus Games in its role as presenting partner and proud sponsor of the UK Team for 2016 following the successful inaugural games in London 2014.  Since 2013, Jaguar Land Rover has hired over 200 former servicemen and servicewomen in the UK, working closely with the Career Transition Partnership, the Ministry of Defence's official provider of Armed Forces resettlement.

HRH Prince Harry launches the 2016 Invictus games at a Buckingham Palace sports star filled event.

2016 Invictus Games Presenting Partner Jaguar Land Rover employee James McGill selected in the UK Team as Jaguar F-PACE begins the Invictus Games Flag Relay

• Jaguar Land Rover continues partnership with Invictus Games for Orlando 2016 and Proud Sponsors of the UK Team, supporting the UK Delegation comprising of The Ministry of Defence, Help for Heroes, and The Royal British Legion
• Prince Harry reveals 110-strong team of wounded, injured and sick (WIS) military personnel and veterans selected to represent the UK
• Jaguar Land Rover employee and former Grenadier Guard, James McGill, is selected to compete in track and field and swimming
• Jaguar F-PACE will transport the Invictus Games Flag to the US as part of the Official Flag Relay, launched by Prince Harry and US Team Captain Will Reynolds from Buckingham Palace
• Since 2013, Jaguar Land Rover has hired over 200 ex-service employees in the UK

The, Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, Prince Harry, unveiled the UK Team for the 2016 Invictus Games, sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover.

Jaguar Land Rover are the presenting partner of the Invictus Games as well as the proud sponsor of the UK Team – continuing their support of the inaugural games and the UK Team in 2014. The UK delegation to the Invictus Games 2016 is being delivered by a partnership comprising The Ministry of Defence, Help for Heroes, and The Royal British Legion.

More than 180 WIS military personnel and veterans trialed 10 sports for one of the 110 places available in the UK Team. The rigorous selection process was based on the benefit the Invictus Games will give an individual as part of their recovery, combined with performance and commitment to training.

Congregating for the first time at Buckingham Palace, the 110 strong team included James McGill, former Grenadier Guard and Jaguar Land Rover employee, who will represent his country at the Games held in Orlando, Florida, May 8-12.

Prince Harry took time to congratulate McGill who will take part in Track and Field and Swimming events. McGill joined Jaguar Land Rover in July 2015 and was encouraged to take part in trials along with other former and serving armed forces personnel colleagues, demonstrating the company’s strong commitment to actively employing former military.

2016 Invictus Games UK Team member and Jaguar Land Rover employee, James McGill, said; “I am hugely excited to be selected for the UK Team for the 2016 Invictus Games. Today has been a very special day, joining all my fellow team members at Buckingham Palace and meeting Prince Harry. The journey to selection has been tough, with so many great competitors in the mix, but the Invictus Games has given so many former and serving men and women a renewed focus and set of goals which should never be underestimated.

“I am very proud to be selected and represent the UK, and equally proud as a Jaguar Land Rover employee. The support Jaguar Land Rover gives to the UK Team and Invictus Games makes this all possible. Rehabilitation is a very personal thing but to be in employment and have a focus and support from a company like Jaguar Land Rover is one of the reasons I am able to be here today and look forward to competing in Orlando in May.”

Since 2013, Jaguar Land Rover has hired over 200 former servicemen and servicewomen, working closely with the Career Transition Partnership, the Ministry of Defence's official provider of Armed Forces resettlement.

Jeremy Hicks, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover UK, added: “There is a close alignment between Jaguar Land Rover’s values and the vision of the Invictus Games, that inspiring performances and passionate, unstoppable persistence enriches people’s lives.

“We’re incredibly proud to continue our role as presenting partner of the 2016 Invictus Games and sponsor the UK Team, and we’re delighted that Jaguar Land Rover employee James McGill will be representing us on the field in Orlando. We wish them all well on this exciting journey.”

In addition to unveiling the UK Team, the Invictus Games Flag was presented by Prince Harry to 2016 Invictus Games US Team Captain, Will Reynolds, who will take it to the United States as part of the Official Flag Relay. Captain Reynolds departed Buckingham Palace in the specially commissioned Jaguar F-PACE ‘Official Flag Vehicle’ which will transport the flag from London to Orlando – symbolising the handover of hosting rights of the Invictus Games.

The Invictus Games are the international adaptive sporting event for WIS Servicemen and women, both serving and veteran. The inaugural Invictus Games, held in London in September 2014, saw over 400 competitors from 13 nations compete in nine sports. The Invictus Games 2016 will see 500 competitors from 15 nations compete in 10 sports. The selected UK Team will compete in ten sports: Athletics; Archery; Wheelchair Basketball; Road Cycling; Powerlifting; Indoor Rowing; Wheelchair Rugby; Swimming, Sitting Volleyball, and a new sport for 2016, Wheelchair Tennis. The first medal opportunity in Orlando will be contested by the 15 competing nations on May 7 in a driving challenge event, sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover.

Secretary of State for Defence presents gold award to Jaguar Land Rover at 10 Downing Street.

• Secretary of State for Defence presents gold award to Jaguar Land Rover at 10 Downing Street
• Gold award recognises the automotive company’s Armed Forces Covenant achievements
• Over 200 veterans hired since 2013
• Programmes include placement scheme for wounded, injured and sick veterans
• Jaguar Land Rover to be presenting partner of 2016 Invictus Games 

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon last night presented Jaguar Land Rover with a gold award for its active support of the Armed Forces community. The UK’s leading manufacturer of premium luxury vehicles has a long history of supporting the British military and continues to demonstrate this by meeting commitments made through its Armed Forces Covenant. 

Michael Fallon praised the company saying: “The support from these organisations is making a real difference to our Armed Forces community. They are ensuring that the men and women who have done, and continue to do, so much for our nation are treated fairly.  

“Whether allowing reservists the time to train, providing jobs or supporting veterans and spouses, these companies embody what the Armed Forces Covenant is about. I am delighted to thank them for their unwavering support."

Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Dr Ralf Speth, accepted the award on behalf of the company.  He was joined by Matthew Malley, one of the 200 ex-service personnel hired by the automotive manufacturer since 2013.

Commenting on the award, Dr Speth said:  “We at Jaguar Land Rover are immensely proud to have signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and to be recognised through this award. 

“Service leavers are an excellent talent pool for Jaguar Land Rover and our supply chain, with skills that are transferable to an advanced manufacturing environment.  We believe that there is a close alignment between our company’s own values and attitudes and the unstoppable persistence of Armed Forces veterans.”

Matthew Malley explained what the company’s approach means for him:  “I was wounded in action and subsequently medically discharged during my second operational tour in Afghanistan.  

I was then told my army career was over, which for me was my life.  After a month-long specially-tailored work placement at Jaguar Land Rover, I got a job with their site services, where I fit right in.  I couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome.”

The work placement programme is run in conjunction with Mission Motorsport and the Ministry of Defence's Career Transition Partnership (Assist) to help wounded, injured and sick former servicemen and women find a fulfilling second career.  

It is just one of the company’s initiatives to boost employment for those leaving the Armed Forces, which also include a training scheme to tackle high unemployment among early service leavers, offering sector-based training, work experience and job interview training.  

The tailored programmes build on the company’s ongoing work with the Career Transition Partnership, through which Jaguar Land Rover employs veterans.  Jaguar Land Rover goes even further, encouraging its supply chain to recruit service leavers and recommending candidates to its suppliers.  

The company also assists its reservists with paid leave for training and encourages an ex-Forces society, which this year co-ordinated Armed Forces Day and Reserves Day celebrations.

Having been the presenting partner for the inaugural Invictus Games in 2014, Jaguar Land Rover has pledged to support the games in this way again in 2016.  This further demonstrates the company’s commitment to help develop understanding and respect amongst the public for those who serve their country.  

To be held in Florida from 8^th to 12^th May, the second Invictus Games will bring together more than 500 competitors from 15 nations and harness the power of sport to inspire recovery and support rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick service personnel.  

Jaguar Land Rover’s backing for service charities includes Mission Motorsport, Help For Heroes, Rally for Heroes, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and individual regimental associations.  

In October, the company sponsored the Walking With the Wounded Walk of Britain to raise awareness and retraining of wounded veterans leaving the Armed Forces.  This 1,000 mile walk included a stage from Jaguar Land Rover’s Design and Engineering Centre at Whitley, Coventry to its manufacturing facility in Solihull. 

Jaguar Land Rover secures employment for five injured or sick ex-military personnel.

• Jaguar Land Rover secures employment for five injured or sick ex-military personnel.
• New recruits complete the company’s first Invictus Games work placement legacy programme designed to help rehabilitate wounded, injured and sick ex-service personnel.
• Among the five, Staff Sergeant Wayne Walker joins Solihull manufacturing team following injuries sustained in Iraq.

Jaguar Land Rover’s Invictus Games work placement legacy programme has seen the first five successful participants being offered a permanent position at the company. The bespoke training programme is designed to help rehabilitate wounded, injured and sick ex-personnel and aid transition into civilian careers. 

Staff Sergeant Wayne Walker, formerly of the Queen’s Royal Lancers has joined the Solihull manufacturing team as a Process Leader, following completion of the company’s inaugural twelve week programme.

Wayne, 36, joined the training programme on 1^st December 2014 after being medically discharged from a 19 year military career, which saw him serve in operational tours of Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. It was in Iraq that he sustained a serious knee injury following the detonation of a vehicle born IED (Improvised Explosive Device). Wayne has since undergone close to 20 operations to his left knee and lower leg.

Speaking of this new chapter in his life, Wayne said: “I was put forward for this opportunity via The Armed Forces’ Motorsport Charity - Mission Motorsport which supports those leaving the Forces. I wasn’t sure what would come out of it but I’ve received incredible support throughout the programme from my family and everyone at Jaguar Land Rover. 

I am delighted to have been offered this permanent position which means security for my family’s future and has been a great confidence boost. I hope this will inspire others also leaving the Forces.”

The bespoke training course followed the company’s support of the 2014 Invictus Games and subsequent signing of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant which recognises the close alignment between Jaguar Land Rover values and the passionate, unstoppable, persistence of armed forces veterans. 

The scheme joins a range of initiatives from the firm which was named Responsible Business of the Year in 2013* - including the ‘Early Service Leaver’ programme, all of which are designed to deliver against the company’s pledge to achieve a 50% year on year improvement in the recruitment of former Armed Forces personnel.

In 2014, Jaguar Land Rover recruited some 100 ex-military personnel and has committed to a further 150 this year. The company believes that those leaving the military have vital and transferable skills including engineering expertise, discipline, team working and communication skills.

Gregg Niblett, Defender Manufacturing Manager who is ex-military himself and will now be Wayne’s manager said: “I am delighted to welcome Wayne to Jaguar Land Rover. For someone who has only spent their career in the forces, it is a huge step to transition over to civilian life and Wayne’s ‘can do’ attitude has enabled him to apply himself to the job. 

There is a thriving ex-forces community at the Solihull plant and we get together regularly to support new recruits transitioning to civilian careers both within work and outside through community and charitable initiatives.”

The remaining four recruits include Corporal Neil Stonard and Lance Corporal Richard Storer.

Neil served for 18 years in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) as a Vehicle Technician. 

Through the MOD’s Recovery Career Services which provide career and resettlement support to Wounded, Injured and Sick personnel, he has secured a role within the company’s Special Vehicle Operations.

Richard secured a role in the design department based in Gaydon after being introduced to the programme by Mission Motorsport having completed a vocational assessment programme through recovery sport.

*Jaguar Land Rover was awarded Responsible Business of the Year in 2013 by Business in the Community (BITC).