South West Water engineer invited to Buckingham Palace garden party

Most people will never set foot inside Buckingham Palace. Fewer still get a personal invitation from the King. But one South West Water engineer found himself doing exactly that, and the reason goes back to his years in uniform.

Gareth Morgan, 42, from Exmouth, was invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his support for the Armed Forces community. The former Royal Marine, who now works as an Engineering Portfolio Manager for the water company, received the invitation from King Charles III and the military charity The Not Forgotten.

The event brought together people who are supporting veterans and service personnel through community and meaningful opportunities.

📷 Gareth outside Buckingham Palace with wife, Andrea.

From the Marines to the workplace

Gareth has not left his sense of duty behind. Alongside delivering major engineering projects across the South West, he mentors new recruits, continuing the kind of service that defined his time in the Marines.

“From serving as a Royal Marine to now delivering projects with South West Water, I’ve always believed in service, commitment, and doing things the right way,” he said.

“To receive an invitation from His Royal Highness to Buckingham Palace was something truly special, an overwhelming sense of pride, gratitude, and humility. It’s a moment that makes you pause, reflect on the journey, and feel incredibly honoured to be recognised in such a way.”

📷 Gareth outside Buckingham Palace with wife, Andrea.

A wider commitment

Gareth’s recognition sits within a broader pledge from South West Water to the Armed Forces community. Last year the company was awarded the Ministry of Defence’s Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme, in recognition of its commitment to supporting veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, and military families in the workplace.

The scheme honours UK organisations that champion the Armed Forces community. The Silver Award goes to employers who go beyond their Armed Forces Covenant commitments by embedding inclusive policies, promoting defence values, and advocating for service personnel across their teams.

Derek Folds, Process Safety Manager and Royal Navy veteran who helped lead the Armed Forces Covenant work at South West Water, spoke about what Gareth’s recognition means.

“Gareth’s recognition at Buckingham Palace highlights how a veteran’s deeply ingrained values of service can elevate an entire organisation,” he said.

“By actively mentoring new recruits and dedicating his personal time to supporting fellow veterans, Gareth proves that a veteran’s leadership doesn’t end when they take off the uniform, it directly enriches the workplace, helping companies like South West Water build inclusive, highly motivated teams.”

📷 Gareth at the Buckingham Palace party