Johnnie Johnson Housing, a not-for-profit housing association with headquarters in Cheshire, has pledged its support to the Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve.
The Covenant was signed on behalf of Johnnie Johnson Housing by Chair of the Board Frances Street and CEO Yvonne Castle with Wing Commander Stephen Chaskin 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force on behalf of Defence.
Johnnie Johnson, a former Air Vice Marshal and World War II flying ace, already had his own glittering wartime career as his monument to history when he formed the business back in 1969 and badged it with his own name. In doing so he fixed his personal colours to the enterprise, endowing it with his own brand of enthusiasm, energy and courage, and giving it the intensely personal style which he then embodied as its leader for the next 20 years.
The original voluntary Committee of Management consisted of conscripts from Johnnie’s RAF days (including Sir Douglas Bader), but has developed into a business-like Board of high calibre, strengthened by the involvement of residents.
Frances Street, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Johnnie Johnson Housing explained, “As a member of the RAF, our founder Johnnie Johnson was concerned about looking after people in the Armed Forces. This passion continues today and it is important to us to continue this support and signing this Covenant shows our commitment and is part of our Corporate Armed Forces Strategy.”
Wing Commander Stephen Chaskin said, “By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, Johnnie Johnson Housing is pledging ongoing support to the Armed Forces family, encompassing Veterans, Cadets, Reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and their employers. There is much to be gained on both sides from a partnership between Defence and the business community, and we look forward to further opportunities to collaborate in the future.”
