Pictured above: (l-r) Greg Whiting, partner at Smith Cooper, John Wilson, Regional SaBRE Campaign Director and Claire Bicknell, business development director at Smith Cooper

Nottingham-based chartered accountants and business advisors, Smith Cooper, have become a 'Supportive Employer' to the reserve forces as part of the Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers (SaBRE) campaign.

The firm, which is based on Haydn Road in the city, has pledged its support to the Ministry of Defence's campaign, which was launched in 2002 to provide advice, information and support to Reservists and employers.

The campaign aims to inform businesses about the potential benefits and implications of employing a Reservist and provide helpful advice and financial support to companies when employee Reservists are called for duty and absent for periods of time. 

As supportive employers, Smith Cooper has recognised that by employing a Reservist they would be employing a loyal, hardworking and highly skilled worker and will receive a Certificate of Support from the Secretary of State for Defence to mark their support. 

The firm is the first accountants in Nottingham to pledge their support and is now keen to promote the benefits of employing a Reservist to other local companies.

Commenting on their decision to become supportive employers, Greg Whiting partner at Smith Cooper said: "We are delighted to have become supportive employers of the SaBRE campaign. We realise what an asset a Reservist would be to our team and we were keen to show our support and do what we can to promote the campaign amongst businesses in Nottingham."

John Wilson, Regional SaBRE Campaign Director, commented: "Activities undertaken by members of the Reserve Forces can make a significant contribution to their work-life balance and they develop skills and attributes which can benefit their employers.

"SaBRE exists solely to help employers and Reservists support and understand each other. It aims to encourage all companies and organisations to understand the importance of Reservists and to become a 'supportive employer'.

"I would like to thank Smith Cooper for pledging their support to the campaign and look forward to working with them, both at SaBRE events and if they employ a Reservist themselves in the future".

Along with general compliance services, Smith cooper operates dedicated corporate finance, specialist tax and corporate recovery and insolvency teams, as well as separate financial solutions, IT and HR divisions.