Forces Employment Charity

What Forces Employment Charity does

The Forces Employment Charity is a UK-registered charity (Charity No. 1061212, Scotland SC039262) established in May 2022 from the merger of RFEA (founded 4 February 1885) and the Officers' Association (founded 1920) employment services. It operates a portfolio of free, lifelong employment-support programmes for veterans, Service leavers, reservists, military spouses/partners, young people from military families, and veterans in contact with the justice system. Core programmes include the regionally-delivered Ex-Forces Employment Programme, the Career Transition Partnership (delivered with the MOD and Reed in Partnership), Op ASCEND (Office for Veterans' Affairs-funded career pathways across eight industries), Op NOVA with country-specific delivery in England, Scotland and Wales (NHS England-commissioned justice-veterans support), TechVets (tech-career bridge with ~£30,000 of free training), Heropreneurs (entrepreneurship support), Military Women Programme, and the Executive Programme.

Technology and distribution rely on a hybrid model: regionally-based Advisors (most of whom are themselves veterans or military spouses and who are mental-health-first-aid trained), supplemented by Salesforce-based CRM portals (rfea.my.site.com, officersassociation.my.site.com), the MyForcesEmployment online community (770,776 online members reached in 2025), the CTP RightJob and Executive Jobs Boards, Employment Pathways conferences, CTP Employment Fairs, the FEC podcast, and 13+ Personnel Recovery Unit-based Specialist Employment Consultants. Outputs in 2025 included 23,275 beneficiaries directly supported and 56,104 connected.

Funding comes from a diversified mix: the MOD CTPs contract is the largest single revenue stream, complemented by NHS England commissioning (Op NOVA), Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust grants (Op ASCEND, NOVA Wales, Military Women Programme), Call of Duty Endowment funding, additional charitable trusts (Julia Rausing Trust, Veterans Foundation, Lloyd's Patriotic Fund, etc.), and corporate sponsorship from Barclays Military and Veterans Outreach, Centrica, Cognizant Foundation, GE Aerospace, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo and others. All client-facing services are delivered free of charge.

Name

Forces Employment Charity

Legal name

Forces Employment Charity

Website

https://forcesemployment.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1885

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Forces Employment Charity is a UK-registered charity formed in May 2022 from the merger of RFEA (founded 1885) and the Officers' Association employment services, providing free, lifelong employment support to veterans, Service leavers, reservists, military spouses, and justice-involved veterans via the MOD's Career Transition Partnership, NHS-commissioned Op NOVA, Op ASCEND, TechVets and Heropreneurs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts: Primary revenue stream from Ministry of Defence (MOD) contracts, primarily the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) agreement with Reed in Partnership. MOD funding covers the full cost of employment services for employers (free to employers) and provides resettlement support for Service leavers.
2. Charitable Foundation Grants: Funding from charitable trusts and foundations including the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (funds Op ASCEND, NOVA Wales, Military Women Programme), Call of Duty Endowment (Military Women Programme), Armed Forces Education Trust, Army Benevolent Fund, Julia Rausing Trust, Lloyd's Patriotic Fund, Veterans Foundation, Veterans Scotland, and others.
3. Corporate Sponsorship and Donations: Financial and in-kind support from corporate partners including Barclays Military and Veterans Outreach, Centrica, Cognizant Foundation, GE Aerospace, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Zapier, and others. These support programme delivery and operational costs.
4. NHS England Commissioning: Op NOVA is commissioned by NHS England to support veterans in contact with the justice system, providing funding for the delivery of specialist justice sector support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Forces Employment Charity is a UK-registered charity that delivers a portfolio of free employment programmes, career transition support, and employer engagement services for the armed forces community. Formed in May 2022 through the merger of the RFEA – The Forces in Mind Trust employment services and the Officers' Association employment services, it operates the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) on contract for the Ministry of Defence alongside NHS-commissioned and grant-funded programmes for veterans, service leavers, reservists, and military families across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Product overview

The Forces Employment Charity is a charity formed in May 2022 through the merger of RFEA (founded 1885) and the Officers' Association employment services. It operates as a portfolio of employment support programmes serving the Armed Forces community, including veterans, Service leavers, reservists, military spouses and partners, and young people from military families. The core offering includes the Ex-Forces Employment Programme (the only regionally-based comprehensive employment support for HM Armed Forces veterans), the Executive Programme, Families Programme, Military Women Programme, TechVets (tech careers bridge), and Heropreneurs (entrepreneurship support). Justice sector services are delivered through Op NOVA (England), NOVA Scotland, and NOVA Wales. Career transition support is provided through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) with sub-programmes CTP Assist and CTP Future Horizons. The organisation also operates the Op ASCEND programme (Office for Veterans' Affairs), providing career pathways across eight key industries. Client-facing platforms include MyForcesEmployment (online community with mentoring), an Executive Jobs Board, Employment Pathways events, and the Forces Employment Charity Podcast. The portfolio is complemented by mental health support initiatives including One Is Too Many.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Career Transition Partnership (CTP) The MOD-contracted career transition programme delivered for the Ministry of Defence, providing resettlement, career advice, training, and job-finding support to service leavers transitioning out of the armed forces.
• Ex-Forces Employment Programme An employment support programme for ex-Forces personnel that provides intensive personalised career coaching, CV support, job-matching, and onward referrals into employment.
• Executive Programme Specialist career support programme for senior military officers and senior service leavers transitioning into senior civilian leadership roles, including one-to-one consultations and access to a curated executive jobs board.
• Families Programme Employment support service for partners and spouses of currently serving UK Armed Forces personnel, helping them find employment that fits around the mobile military lifestyle.
• Op NOVA Specialist employment programme for ex-Forces personnel whose pathways into work have been affected by complex circumstances such as contact with the criminal justice system, physical or mental injury, or homelessness, delivered with intensive one-to-one support.
• TechVets Reskilling and employment programme that supports veterans and service leavers transitioning into careers in cyber security and the wider technology sector.
• Heropreneurs Free business startup support programme that helps ex-Forces personnel develop and launch their own businesses, providing mentoring, training, and access to a network of founder peers.
• Military Women Programme Employment programme tailored for women from the armed forces community, addressing the specific challenges they face when transitioning into civilian employment.
• Specialist Employment Advice Free, expert employment-advice service covering areas such as rights at work, discrimination, redundancy, and grievances for the armed forces community.
• Veterans Support Programme Holistic support programme for veterans that brings together employment assistance with signposting to housing, health, finance, and family services.
• Op ASCEND Career acceleration and skills development programme that helps transitioning service members build new skill sets and progress into sustainable employment.
• NOVA Scotland Scotland-focused specialist employment programme for ex-Forces personnel whose pathways into work have been affected by complex circumstances.
• NOVA Wales Wales-focused specialist employment programme for ex-Forces personnel whose pathways into work have been affected by complex circumstances.
• CTP Employer Engagement Recruitment service that connects employers with service leavers and ex-Forces talent through the Career Transition Partnership jobs board and engagement activities.
• CTP Future Horizons Career preparation strand within the Career Transition Partnership focused on equipping service leavers with future-oriented skills and forward-looking career planning.
• CTP Assist CTP-delivered specialist support strand for service leavers with additional needs who require tailored assistance to move into sustainable employment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 23,275 ex-Forces personnel and family members directly supported in 2025
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Career Transition Partnership (CTP) - Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Reed in PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1998CTP is the partnering agreement between the MOD and Reed in Partnership, together with the Forces Employment Charity. FEC delivers employment services for the CTP MOD contract since 1998. This is the primary channel through which all Service leavers access FEC's free employment support. CTP provides the official resettlement service for the Armed Forces, with all Service leavers eligible for free support.
• Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe OVA is a UK Government body that awarded Op ASCEND to the Forces Employment Charity through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. Op ASCEND provides clear, accessible career pathways for veterans, building on the existing CTP support.
• NHS EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS England commissions Op NOVA, delivered by the Forces Employment Charity, to provide support for veterans who are in contact with the justice system. NHS England funding enables FEC to deliver specialist health and wellbeing pathway support alongside justice interventions.
• Care After CombatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCare After Combat is a subcontractor to Op NOVA, linking with veterans in prison so they can be supported across the crisis point of prison release. Critical partner in the justice pathway for vulnerable veterans.
• Police ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolice Scotland collaborates with NOVA Scotland to offer holistic, person-centred support that helps vulnerable veterans address their challenges and rebuild their lives.
• Scottish Prison ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOVA Scotland works with the Scottish Prison Service to support veterans throughout their engagement with the justice system, from initial contact through to resettlement.
• Royal British LegionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner referenced in the Veterans Support Programme. The Royal British Legion is a major military charity supporting veterans and their families. FEC works with them on signposting and cross-referral for wider veteran support needs including housing and financial assistance.
• Veterans ScotlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans Scotland enhances the welfare of the veterans community in Scotland. FEC is a member and collaborates on coordination of veteran support services north of the border, engaging with Scottish Government on veterans affairs.
• Veterans 1st Point (V1P)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS Scotland's specialist veterans' mental health provision. NOVA Scotland refers veterans with mental health needs to V1P for specialist healthcare support.
• Op COURAGE (Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS England's specialist veterans' mental health service. Op NOVA refers veterans with mental health needs for specialist support including PTSD assessment and treatment. Key partner for the justice system veterans pathway.
• IngeusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFO Evolution is delivered in partnership with Ingeus, providing specialist support service for Ex-Forces personnel who have offended, focusing on training. Ingeus provides services for people, businesses and communities to create employment, skills, health and wellbeing.
• COBSEO (Confederation of Service Charities)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOBSEO is the Confederation of Service Charities providing a single point of contact for interaction with Government, private sector and other members. FEC is a member, benefiting from coordination with the broader Armed Forces charity ecosystem.
• Combat StressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health charity for veterans from every service and conflict. Referenced on FEC's PTSD support page as a key partner for specialist mental health treatment. FEC signposts veterans to Combat Stress for complex PTSD, anxiety and depression support.
• Mind (Mental Health Charity)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health charity providing information and support resources. Referenced in FEC's One Is Too Many and PTSD pages as a source of additional mental health guidance for veterans and their families.
• Reed in PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the CTP alongside MOD and FEC. Reed in Partnership brings commercial recruitment expertise to the Career Transition Partnership, working alongside FEC's military knowledge to deliver resettlement services.
• Warwick Business School (WBS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeropreneurs WBS MBA Scholarship Award partnership: WBS offers a 100% scholarship to the Heropreneurs MBA Scholarship Award winner, with significant scholarships for runners-up. Supports veteran and military family entrepreneurs in advancing their business education.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Reed in Partnership: UK employment services contractor that is FEC's joint partner in the MOD's Career Transition Partnership. Direct operational peer in the CTP delivery model, working alongside FEC on Service leaver resettlement.
• Hire Heroes USA: US nonprofit providing free, individualised job search assistance to US military members, veterans, and their spouses. Most comparable international peer in the veteran employment placement niche with similar service model.
• RFEA (predecessor): The Regular Forces Employment Association merged with Officers' Association employment services in May 2022 to form FEC. Listed here as a historical predecessor that remains the legal continuity of FEC's core activity.
• Walking With The Wounded: UK charity supporting veterans with mental health, employment, and training programmes. Operates the Employment programme and Head Start programme for ex-military personnel transitioning to civilian careers, directly comparable to FEC's core offer.
• American Corporate Partners (ACP): US nonprofit offering year-long mentorships and career guidance to post-9/11 veterans and active duty spouses. Comparable in the mentoring-led career transition model that FEC replicates through its Mentoring Hub.
• Help for Heroes: Major UK military charity offering recovery and welfare support, including employment pathways for wounded veterans. Comparable on target population (UK Armed Forces community) and the holistic support model, though broader in mission than employment alone.
• The Poppy Factory: UK charity dedicated exclusively to helping wounded, injured and sick veterans find employment, with personalised support into meaningful jobs. Most directly comparable as a single-cause veteran employment charity operating in the UK.
• Care After Combat: UK charity supporting veterans in the criminal justice system; operates as a sub-contractor on FEC's Op NOVA programme. Directly comparable in mission to FEC's Op NOVA and NOVA Scotland/Wales offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Royal British Legion (RBL): UK's largest Armed Forces charity, providing employment support, welfare, housing, and advocacy. Listed as a major strategic partner for cross-referral; comparable in veteran support scope but much broader in mission than FEC.
• SSAFA: UK Armed Forces charity providing lifelong support including employment-related assistance for serving personnel, veterans, and families. Wider in scope (welfare, mental health, social work) but overlapping on veteran employment transitions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forces-employment-charity
• Xx.com/ForcesEmploy
• Facebookfacebook.com/ForcesEmploymentCharity

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Forces Employment Charity