Babcock hits the road with nationwide tour to showcase impact and opportunities

Babcock International has launched a nationwide roadshow, taking to the highway in a specially equipped bus designed to connect with colleagues across the UK and spotlight the company’s growing impact on local communities as it ramps up recruitment.

The tour follows the publication of Babcock’s Delivering the Defence Dividend Report, which detailed the company’s contribution beyond financial performance. The report highlighted:

• £550m invested in 3,800 UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

• The company’s largest annual early careers intake of around 900 recruits, with a focus on developing nuclear skills and engaging 82,000 pupils in STEM activities – equivalent to one in 130 UK pupils

• Plans to recruit 1,000 new Production Support Operatives through an award-winning employment initiative

• More than 105 full-time equivalent volunteers and over £1m donated to charitable causes

• Recognition as the UK’s joint largest defence employer of veterans and the largest employer of military reservists, with over 500 on the workforce

• The introduction of a free employee share scheme

The new outreach programme will see senior leaders joining the tour bus to discuss career opportunities, sustainability commitments, and health and wellbeing initiatives, while also showcasing the wide range of rewarding roles available across the business.

The launch coincided with Babcock apprentices and graduates highlighting the company’s career pathways at the Next Gen Skills Takeover Day during DSEI UK 25, a global defence industry event in London.

Positioning itself as the UK’s second-largest supplier to the Ministry of Defence, Babcock is keen to demonstrate its social and economic impact across the country. The touring bus – described by the company as a “moving hub of ideas, innovation and collaboration” – will feature apprentices, graduates, tradespeople, and other colleagues, sharing their experiences with communities where the business operates.

Speaking at the London headquarters as the tour began, Babcock CEO David Lockwood said the initiative underlined the importance of reaching out to employees within their own communities.

“Reaching out to colleagues within the communities they work in is really important and this roadshow gives us a fantastic opportunity to do this in a different way,” he said. “We are an intrinsic part of the regions in which we operate, driving economic growth and prosperity. Our people are hugely proud of what we collectively contribute to the safety and security of the UK, and we are encouraging others to find out more about opportunities to join Babcock as we travel the country.

“As well as delivering critical support to the UK’s Armed Forces, we create jobs, support local businesses, and contribute to the wellbeing of the communities that we’re proudly part of.”