Army of support

How veterans have helped out nationally and locally during the Covid-19 crisis

One of the many challenges in tackling coronavirus was getting Serco and Sodexo’s 28 Covid test centres and three mobile units up and running quickly. Responsible for providing security guards and traffic marshals to the centres was ex-military police officer David Stubbs, MD of security firm SSGC. It has taken on 1,300 extra staff, many of whom are veterans. “It was all about recruiting the right people fast,” says David 49. “We’ve taken on about 200 veterans so far. I’m one myself so I know vets come with a fair standard of discipline and they’re used to standing for long periods of time. We need a highly disciplined workforce to ensure we’re managing the risks. “It’s a great privilege to be involved in what we are doing for the country. I worked without a day’s break for nine weeks to get everything up and

If it’s a Friday night, Saturday morning, it doesn’t matter – the work has priority

running and stable.” David served in the Military Police for six years and also spent time in the Territorial Army. It’s where he learnt to quickly adapt to any situation. “In the Military Police you can find yourself in any kind of environment and situation. You have a set of disciplines and training standards that you apply to any task you’re given. That training has guided me in my business life too,” he says. He and his staff drew on their military skills and determination to keep going. “There are times in the military when it doesn’t matter how long you go to work for – you do your job because it absolutely needs doing,” David explains. “That’s exactly where we are today: the job needs doing and therefore if it’s a Friday night, Saturday morning… it doesn’t matter. The work has priority.”