Cornish Lithium Signs Armed Forces Covenant to Support Military Community

Cornish Lithium has formally pledged its support for the military community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. The signing took place on Monday 29th September at the company’s Penryn site.

Commitment to Veterans and Families

The Cornish Lithium Chief Executive Officer, Jamie Airnes, signed the Covenant alongside British Army Liaison Officer Lt Col Ant Sharman. The event was also attended by Ministry of Defence Defence Relationship Management, Regional Employer Engagement Director, Jon Beake.

Employees with Armed Forces connections were present, including veterans, a reservist and the partner of a serving member.

The agreement recognises the company’s commitment to fair treatment of employees who are veterans, reservists, or family members of Armed Forces personnel. It also supports volunteers in their training and postings.

Supporting Military Experience in the Workplace

Jamie said:

“We are honoured to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and publicly announce our ongoing commitment to fair treatment for veterans, reservists, serving personnel’s families and volunteers.

“Cornish Lithium already benefits from the knowledge, values and skills of those who have served, including our Founder, Jeremy Wrathall, who served with the British Army’s Parachute Regiment prior to embarking upon his career in mineral exploration.

“This pledge is also personal to me, as my father served in 2 PARA, the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment. I know first-hand the difference that this kind of support can make.

“It is a pleasure to stand alongside our veteran and reservist colleagues in making this public declaration. I also hope it encourages other organisations to recognise and value the wealth of expertise and insight that military professionals bring.”

The company’s commitments include promoting the Armed Forces, supporting Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday, and offering flexible working arrangements and training opportunities.

Regional Recognition

Jon Beake added:

“It is fantastic that Cornish Lithium joins around 1,300 other organisations based across the South West that have pledged their support by adopting their own Armed Forces Covenants; it has been a pleasure tailoring the pledges with them to make them relevant and mutually beneficial.”

Cornish Lithium is now one of nearly 13,000 organisations across the UK that have signed the Covenant, which is built on the values of fairness, respect and opportunity.

Part of Wider Army Engagement

The signing also coincided with the launch of a series of ‘Meet Your Army’ events by the Army Engagement Group across the South West. These events give employers the chance to learn how military experience can benefit the workplace.

Founded in 2016, Cornish Lithium employs 99 staff across its sites at St Dennis, United Downs and Penryn.

📷Front row (left to right): Cornish Lithium CEO Jamie Airnes; Lt Col Ant Sharman. Back row: Cornish Lithium team members and MoD Defence Relationship Management’s Jon Beake - Credit: Cornish Lithium/Toby Weller