MANUFACTURER IN UK's TOP 15 EMPLOYERS OF VETERANS

John Deere has been named as one of the UK’s top 15 employers of armed forces leavers.

The company says the achievement reflects the success of its Military Hiring Programme, which continues to offer veterans careers as technicians in professional turfcare and agriculture. 
 
The Great British Employers of Veterans programme benchmarks organisations to set a national standard for employing former servicemen and women.
 
John Deere made the top 50 last year but has risen further up the ranks in the 2026 list, recently released. The company’s final placing will be announced in June at the ninth annual British Forces in Business Awards. 
 
“We are passionate about finding a way to give back to those who have served our country,” said Allan Cochran, John Deere branch training manager for the UK and Ireland.
 
"The skills and the mindset of those leaving the forces are perfectly suited to the roles being offered by our dealerships, and those who have resettled into the John Deere family have cited many similarities in a working environment that's built around team effort and camaraderie. 
 
"We're honoured to be recognised in this way and thrilled to be shortlisted in the Top 15. It will further fuel our passion for offering service veterans a next step in their careers across the agricultural and professional turfcare sectors." 
 
In addition to John Deere, four dealerships have signed the Armed Forces Covenant in support of service leavers pursuing careers in the agriculture and turf industries.
 
Hunt Forest Group, Ripon Farm Services, Ben Burgess and Tallis Amos Group have all pledged to ensure that those who serve, or have served, in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly and should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.
 
Each year, more than 15,000 individuals leave the British Armed Forces. Highly trained, values-driven and mission-focused, they represent one of the most capable and under-utilised talent pools in the labour market.