According to the Commons library, the amount of people who have previously served in the armed forces across Great Britain is 2.03 million, representing 3.8% of the total population aged 16 or over.

A number of the armed services community is also spread across the specialist finance industry; B&C asked some of these people about the importance of remembrance and how the industry can help those who served.

Michael Street, founding partner at Word On The Street, said: “Remembrance is importance for a number of reasons, remembering those who have fallen and the sacrifices made but, most importantly for me, it is to take stock and to remember the reasons behind why we go to war as a country — to uphold the beliefs, values and cultures of this great nation, Britain.”

Michael spent four years in the Corps of Royal Engineers before entering the specialist finance world.

In particular, he felt the industry itself could provide support to armed forces veterans by “ensuring that there are roles available to them towards the end of their military careers”.

“Military personnel, for the most part, are relatively young at the end of their military careers and have an abundance of experience with most of the skills being transferrable, ie time keeping, hardworking, competent thinkers — the specialist finance industry would benefit greatly from taking on ex-military personnel,” added Michael.

Russ Lewis spent 23 years in the Parachute Regiment, commanding troops in Helmand province, and he is currently the commanding officer of the first Battallion, The London Guards. Russ also founded Finance for Forces, an organisation that helps the armed forces community source commercial finance.

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Russ believes the skills and discipline learned in a career in the forces can be translated into success within the specialist finance industry. “I think they have a lot to add,” said Russ, “they think differently and will look at problems and challenges in a different way, they have a lot to offer due to their different background.”

He feels that through understanding different experiences of veterans and military personnel, the industry can be of help to them: “They have been in a very different world and so a lot of aspects of the industry will be alien to them. Be patient, be clear, and help as much as you can.”

Michael also feels that veterans bring a high standard to workplaces and an “un-matched work ethic” that the industry could benefit from by ensuring roles are available for them when they leave service.

Steve Burns is another military veteran at Word On The Street, having spent five-and-a-half years in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers between 1982 and 1987.

“Each and every individual can pop a pound in the poppy tin in order to keep the support services alive,” Steve commented.

“The industry is an audience, and getting anything in front of an audience for support is a good thing. Just allow some time on and around Remebrance Day - veterans can feel it and support of their employer is welcomed.”

Michael feels there are deeper issues that need to be considered by employers around those who may have lost loved ones in service.

“Be considerate. Lots of military an ex-military personnel have friends/connections who have perished in active service, so it is important we recognise this and allow colleagues the time to grieve.”

For Russ, someone who knows all too well the realities of combat, the gravity of Remembrance Day is paramount.

“It’s the biggest day in the military calendar. It means everything because we are always conscious of those who have gone before us.

“We stand on the shoulders of those that have gone before. So, acknowledging the day means everything.”