RT Infrastructure Solutions’ Operations Manger, Nadine Wood, takes over from Dr Christopher Bushby as Chair of the Suffolk Employer Engagement Group (SEEG) on Wednesday 1st November 2023.
Dr Christopher Bushby has chaired the group for nine years, having joined East Anglia RFCA as an employer representative volunteer member in 2010. With an impressive CV in business and the wider community in Suffolk, he succeeded in raising the profile of the SEEG in the county.
Today, Suffolk counts 7 organisations that hold a Gold Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Award, and 21 organisations that hold a Silver ERS award, with many more Suffolk companies having signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
Col Anthony Fairbanks-Weston is the Chair of East Anglia RFCA Suffolk Forum.
He applauded Dr Chris’s contribution: “A priority for Defence is the retention of its Reserve Forces and effective engagement with employers enhances Defence’s relationships with key stakeholders and is essential for the delivery of Defence People objectives. The SEEG, led by Dr Chris, has delivered Defence’s objective by the bucketful.”
As far back as November 2011, Dr Chris was effecting introductions to local employers, not least the senior management team at BT’s Adastral Park. Dr Chris was Executive Director of the Suffolk Agricultural Association for 30 years, where his influence was pivotal in securing the expansion of the military village at the annual Suffolk Show. He also secured a ringside table at a recent Suffolk Show to enable the SEEG to host the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award holders during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
He has been a frequent and exemplary host at employer engagement events, including at the Gold employer recognition scheme award event as we came out of lockdown, a permanent host of the silver awards. His wise counsel at the Regional Employer Engagement Group has been willingly accepted by employers and units alike.
Dr Chris Bushby was presented with a plaque by the new Chief Executive of East Anglia RFCA, Col Leona Barr-Jones. She said: “Chris, we are indebted to you for your commitment, enthusiasm, professionalism and friendship you have given so unstintingly during the 13 years that you’ve been a volunteer champion on behalf of East Anglia RFCA. On behalf of myself and the previous Chief Executive – thank you.”
