Every month, we’re shining a spotlight on organisations across the West Midlands that are committed to supporting the Armed Forces community. This month, in celebration of Reserves Day, we are proud to feature Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a Gold employer that has held the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award since 2015.
At JLR, this commitment is brought to life through the experiences of its reservist employees. The stories of Sean Thompson and Simon Deakin highlight how the organisation enables individuals to successfully balance demanding military responsibilities with thriving civilian careers.
Sean Thompson: Production Leader and Army Reservist
For Sean Thompson, a Production Leader at JLR and a Private in the 4th Battalion Parachute Regiment, joining the Army Reserve was about fulfilling a long-held ambition. While a full-time military career wasn’t viable, the Reserves provided a route to pursue his goal.
Since joining in 2023, Sean has achieved one of the most demanding milestones in military training. Passing P Company is widely regarded as one of the toughest courses in the British Army. This accomplishment stands as a testament to his determination and resilience.
“I had always wanted to join the Army as Infantry, but I couldn’t leave my civilian job. Joining the Reserves gave me the opportunity to finally chase that ambition and the challenge of passing P Company was a major driving force for me.”
At the same time, Sean’s civilian career has continued to progress. Starting on the production track, he worked his way through roles including Product Coach and Group Leader, before securing a permanent Production Leader position. Most recently, he successfully achieved promotion to Senior Production Leader at the Battery Assembly Centre.
“I enjoy problem‑solving and getting to the root cause of issues so we can eliminate them permanently. That approach helps protect the customer and supports the quality standards we need for next‑generation products.”
Simon Deakin, Facilities and Development Engineer and RAF Reservist
Joining the RAF Reserves was both a personal and professional commitment for Simon Deakin, Facilities and Development Engineer and Corporal in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. With a family history of military service spanning more than 130 years, his reservist experience directly enhances his engineering role.
“My family has a long history of military service. Joining the RAF Reserves allowed me to carry on that legacy and contribute my own skills to the British Forces.”
Over the course of his service, Simon has contributed to a range of high-profile operations, including a NATO mobilisation to Estonia, Covid support efforts, and work alongside the Red Arrows. These experiences have strengthened both his technical expertise and his ability to operate in high-pressure environments.
“At JLR, I’m currently working on the Electrical Modular Architecture project at Halewood, helping to prepare the site for the next generation of electrified vehicles. My engineering role is heavily influenced by the discipline and technical precision I bring from the RAF Reserves.”
Simon notes that flexibility has been key to sustaining both careers. Despite the demands of his role, he has consistently met, and often exceeded, the 27 days of annual reservist service required.
“Balancing my work at Halewood with my reservist commitments can be challenging, but JLR has always supported me. I’ve consistently been able to meet, and often exceed, my required 27 days of annual service, thanks to the flexibility and understanding of my management team. It’s a testament to JLR that I’ve been able to develop both my military career and my civilian role with their full backing.”
A Culture of Flexibility and Support
Balancing reservist duties with a full-time role isn’t easy, but both Sean and Simon emphasise the importance of JLR’s supportive culture.
The experiences of Sean and Simon demonstrate how JLR’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant goes beyond policy; it is embedded in the organisation’s culture. By providing flexibility, encouragement, and recognition, JLR enables reservists to excel in both their military and civilian roles.
For employees, this means the opportunity to pursue personal ambitions, develop new skills, and contribute to national defence, without compromising career progression. For JLR, it brings a workforce enriched with resilience, leadership, and technical expertise.
As Sean reflects, joining the Reserves can “open doors you never expected.” At Jaguar Land Rover, those doors remain firmly open.
