Businesses should ‘snap up’ former armed forces cadets who apply for roles, according to a former president of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce.
Mike Frewer, who is also a former honorary colonel of the Staffordshire Army Cadet Force, told Daily Focus that cadets bring “great transferable skills” and would be an asset to any organisation.
He was speaking ahead of a ceremony recognising the service of this year’s Lord Lieutenant’s cadets, taking place at County Hall in Stafford on tomorrow, April 30. Incoming cadets for the year ahead will also be welcomed at the event.
Each year, one cadet from Staffordshire’s Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Royal Air Force, police and St John Ambulance is selected by their organisation to serve as a Lord Lieutenant’s cadet. They accompany the Lord Lieutenant at official events and Royal visits throughout their year in post.
To be considered, cadets must reach the highest ranks of their organisation and complete their full training syllabus. It is the highest honour a cadet can receive.
Mike Frewer told Daily Focus: “The Lord Lieutenant’s cadets are wonderful young people. It is a great honour for them to be selected and they carry out their duties very well.
“Less than 20 per cent of cadets go into the armed forces. Any business who receives an application from a former Lord Lieutenant’s cadet – or indeed any cadet – should put them on their shortlist.
“They will have excellent self-discipline and strong leadership skills. They’ll show up smartly dressed, speak with confidence and have been trained to lead and instruct others.
“They make great role models with valuable transferable skills. Businesses should snap them up as they will be an asset to any organisation.”
Current Lord Lieutenant Sir Ian Dudson will retire from the post in July, having reached the age of 75. He was appointed Lord-Lieutenant in 2012 and became a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in The King’s New Year Honours in 2025.
The new Lord Lieutenant has been announced as Professor Elizabeth (Liz) Barnes CBE, the former Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Staffordshire.
She said: “It’s a huge honour to represent our King in the county of Staffordshire where I was born and raised.
“I look forward to continuing to work with our businesses, volunteers and communities, recognising and celebrating the work that they do to improve, grow, encourage and create opportunities.”
