Armed Forces Lunch at Founders’ Hall

We were delighted to welcome members of the Armed Forces and invited guests to Founders’ Hall for our Armed Forces Lunch in April, reflecting the Company’s ongoing support for the Armed Forces Covenant and our commitment to strengthening links with those who serve.

The atmosphere at table was lively from the outset, with one guest confessing that the conversation was so good it came at a cost:

“I placed my knife and fork together in an act of grief… knowing that though I hadn’t finished, my table had, forcing me to prematurely bid adieu to a half helping of heavenly hake.”

Discussion ranged widely, particularly around the “young engineering reach” within the Naval Service, and how the Company might help spotlight emerging talent. One idea was to invite a young naval engineer to share an interest piece, “sponsored by us”, for social media.

There was also enthusiasm for a longer‑term idea around ‘Natural Service’, described as “a rite of passage for prospective environmental engineers”, linked to university pathways and future service in both military and civilian roles.

We were especially pleased to welcome Founders’ Loyalty Award recipient Lt Cdr Haley Van Poorten, alongside a distinguished group of serving officers and supporters of the Company, and we are grateful for Cdr Mark Hamilton for a genuinely interesting after lunch talk on modern day engineering in the Royal Navy.