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).

Latest Poll puts Prince Harry as the best passenger, Harry Styles has dropped down.

In a poll conducted to celebrate the launch of the fashion-inspired special edition SEAT Mii by MANGO city car, it seems that the women of the UK have very clear ideas about who they want to have travelling alongside them.

Prince Harry rises to the top, with a quarter of those questioned wanting the handsome Royal next to them as they drive around the city. Some things don’t change though, as David Beckham shows his undying appeal, coming a close second with 21%. Victoria on the other hand didn’t fair so well, near bottom with 6%.

It seems no one wants to take the chance of having their driving judged, with Simon Cowell getting a mere 8%. The big shock is so-called ‘dream boy’ Harry Styles, who received a measly 5%, which goes to show that looks don’t always count. Embattled PM David Cameron can find no comfort in the fact that he gained only 3% of the vote, though some might say ‘as expected’.

Jennifer Lawrence leads the way with 18% of those asked choosing the Hunger Games star as their ultimate female car companion. Amazingly, Prince Harry’s sister-in-law Kate Middleton (17%) beat Beyoncé (10%) of those polled. Perhaps UK women are hoping Kate will spill the beans on her Royal brother-in-law.

When questioned about the age-old driving battle of the sexes, the poll goes on to show that women are more confident than they have ever been about their motoring abilities, with 70% considering themselves to be far more skilled drivers than the men in their lives. 

And to add insult to injury to the men who still think they’re King of the road, 49% of women believe they have a better sense of direction than their male counterparts.

Invictus Games attendees to take part in Lord Mayors show, along with Jaguar Land Rover.

• Members of British Armed Forces’ Invictus team to take to the streets of London in Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles
• As Presenting Partner of the 2014 Invictus Games, Jaguar Land Rover is committed to supporting the UK’s ‘wounded warriors’
• Jaguar Land Rover’s support for the legacy of the Invictus Games includes the creation of a new work placement scheme for wounded, injured and sick former Servicemen and women

Four stars of the British Invictus Games team will take centre stage in London on Saturday 8 November as they line up in the Lord Mayor’s Show parade in Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.

The Invictus Games is an international sports event for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women, championed by Prince Harry and proudly presented by Jaguar Land Rover. The first ever Invictus Games were held in Britain in September, and saw over 400 competitors from 13 nations competing in nine different sports.

The British Armed Forces Team won a Pride of Britain Award for its inspirational performance during the games, and now four of the team will take part in the historic Lord Mayor’s Show in London.

Team Captain Dave Henson MBE, John-James Chalmers, Paul Vice and Luke Darlington will take to the Capital’s streets in two Jaguar F-TYPEs and two Land Rover Discovery cars, all featuring bespoke Invictus Games livery.

British Armed Forces Team Captain Dave Henson MBE said: “Having a company like Jaguar Land Rover on board offering its complete support to the Invictus Games is fantastic. Being able to now showcase the achievements of the boys and girls of the Invictus Games team, again alongside Jaguar Land Rover, at the Lord Mayor’s Show is something which we are really excited about.”

Group Captain Vicky Gosling OBE, who provided military support to the Invictus Games, said: "Discussions with the Nations that took part have shown that the Invictus Games has been inspirational to their wounded, injured and sick, their families and those who support them. The Games clearly achieved the aim of demonstrating the power of sport within the recovery process, and the exceptional qualities of the competitors who have a tremendous amount to offer to their nations, businesses and society in general. All of this was only possible with the support of our presenting partner, Jaguar Land Rover, and our other sponsors."

Jaguar Land Rover recently announced a new work placement scheme to help wounded, injured and sick former Servicemen and women find a fulfilling and long-term second career.*

Mark Cameron, Global Brand Experience Director at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Our workwith the Games is now over but we are committed to leaving a lasting legacy, exploring opportunities to enhance the employment prospects of ex-Service personnel moving into civilian life, including those who are wounded, injured or sick. Our involvement in this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show is a way of continuing with that legacy and keeping the values of the Games alive."

JLR hails a great success for the first Invictus games.

• Jaguar Land Rover congratulates the 413 inspirational Servicemen and women who have lit up the Invictus Games.
• Great Britain’s Joe Townsend and Denmark’s Maurice Manuel honoured with special awards presented by Olympic gold medallist Katherine Graiger, Team Sky’s Ian Stannard and rugby legend Lawrence Dallagio.
• Jaguar Land Rover extends its commitment to exploring ways to enhance the valuable role of veterans as skilled employees, to create a lasting legacy from the Games.

Jaguar Land Rover has paid tribute to the 413 Servicemen and women who have captivated the nation at the Invictus Games, and is committed to leave a lasting legacy from the Games.

The international sporting event, which has been championed by Prince Harry and presented by Jaguar Land Rover, saw Servicemen and women from 13 nations join together and compete across four days of inspirational sport.

At Sunday’s Jaguar Land Rover Invictus Games Closing Concert, two special awards were presented to Invictus competitors Joe Townsend and Maurice Manuel.

Townsend lifted The Jaguar Award for Exceptional Performance, having followed up his four gold medals at Wednesday’s athletics with silver and bronze in hand cycling on Saturday. Townsend, who has previously cycled 3,000 miles across the USA, was presented with his award by Team Sky cyclist Ian Stannard and Olympic rower Katherine Grainger.

The veteran Royal Marine, who lost both legs above the knee after standing on an anti-tank mine in Afghanistan in 2008, said: “To be selected for this award from over 400 inspiring competitors is very special. The first ever Invictus Games have been an incredible event and this award caps a week I will remember for the rest of my life.

“Winning four gold medals on the first day of competition was incredible. Sport has played a huge role in my recovery and the Invictus Games will hopefully continue to provide a platform for people like me to achieve their goals.”

Denmark’s Maurice Manuel was named the Land Rover Unconquerable Soul for going above and beyond, in his commitment to the Games. Captaining and coaching Denmark’s wheelchair basketball team to bronze, he also won silver in the javelin, bronze in the Ambulant IT1 200m and bronze in wheelchair rugby. All these were achieved this week, whilst he cared for an unwell family member.

Army veteran Manuel served on six tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, before having his right leg amputated after being injured by an IED in 2010 while working as a combat translator. He described the Land Rover Unconquerable Soul Award, which was presented by Rugby World Cup winner Lawrence Dallagio, as “an honour beyond measure”.

He said: “There are so many people I want to thank for this amazing experience, being part of the Invictus Games and for helping me accomplish my goals. Thank you to my family and to all the competitors for inspiring me and pushing me to exceed my own expectations.”

Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Land Rover, said: “We are immensely proud to have played our part in these hugely successful Games and would like to congratulate every one of the 413 competitors who have provided such inspiration this week.

“The Invictus Games have delivered four thrilling days of competition and further demonstrated the power of sport in recovery. The Games have demonstrated the potential of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and once again highlighted the valuable role that veterans could play as skilled employees.

“With the Games now over, our work to leave a lasting legacy will now take centre stage. Jaguar Land Rover will continue to work closely with the Royal Foundation and the Ministry of Defence to explore innovative ways of enhancing the employment prospects of ex-Service personnel moving into civilian life, including those who are wounded, injured or sick.”

The Invictus Games were organised with the support and backing of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defence. The Games saw more than 400 wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women, from 13 nations, compete at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, thanks to the Mayor of London, the London Legacy Development Corporation and the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

First medals awarded at JLR Invictus Games, and they go to Australia.

• Australia claim gold in the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge, part of the Invictus Games.
• Prince Harry presents winning medals at the Jaguar Land Rover Design and Engineering Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire.
• Opening Ceremony takes place tomorrow for the Invictus Games, the new international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick Service personnel.
• Jaguar Land Rover is Presenting Partner of the Invictus Games and is committed to exploring ways to enhance the valuable role of veterans as skilled employees, to create a lasting legacy for the Games.

Two Australians made history today as they were awarded the first gold medals of the Invictus Games by Prince Harry.

The Australia team, made up of Matthew Taxis and Sarah Archibald, took gold in the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge, which saw 11 nations compete in two stages designed to test the competitors’ driving and navigation skills.

Teams, made up of a driver and navigator, completed an all-terrain stage in a Land Rover Discovery and a tarmac track stage in a Jaguar F-TYPE, with a series of gates required to be correctly negotiated in order.

With the four quickest teams qualifying for this afternoon’s final, it was Australia who came out on top, finishing ahead of silver medallists Germany and the Netherlands, who took bronze.

Matthew Taxis, a former Combat Engineer who injuredhis back while lifting equipment in the Army, drove Australia to victory.

He said: “It’s fantastic to receive the first gold medals of the Invictus Games. I hope I’m also in with a shout in the Archery, but it’s just great to be here and be part of an incredible event with people from all over the world.”

Sarah Archibald, who suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, navigated for the team.

She said: “Orientating the course was very difficult, and we needed to communicate really well. Hopefully this victory will spur us on and give the team a boost ahead of the next few days of competition.

“Being presented with my gold medal from Prince Harry was something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

The British team, represented by former sergeant Martyn Gibbons MBE and Private Kimberley Sterling, finished in fourth position.

The Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge forms part of the Invictus Games, which officially begin with an Opening Ceremony at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park tomorrow.

Visiting the Design and Engineering Centre in Gaydon, Prince Harry met former Servicemen and women now working for Jaguar Land Rover and a group of employees who will serve as volunteers at the Games. He navigated a wounded serviceman driver from the USA around the Land Rover all-terrain course before driving a Jaguar F-TYPE.

Mark Cameron, Global Brand Experience Director of Jaguar Land Rover said: “Everyone at Jaguar Land Rover would like to congratulate Australia on being awarded the first gold medals of the Invictus Games, and to all the medallists and competitors who took part.

“We were honoured to host this event as part of the Invictus Games and welcome His Royal Highness to Gaydon. We are now looking forward to the Opening Ceremony tomorrow and an inspiring four days of competition in London.”

The Invictus Games is being organised with the support and backing of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defence. It will see more than 400 wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women, from 13 nations, competing at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, thanks to the Mayor of London, the London Legacy Development Corporation and the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.