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Serco has been awarded the contract to deliver the UK Ministry of Defence’s next-generation recruiting solution for the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force and Strategic Command. This landmark agreement brings recruitment for all four branches under a single, unified service for the first time.
The Armed Forces Recruitment Service (AFRS) contract spans seven years, with options for three additional one-year extensions. A 21-month mobilisation phase will commence in April 2025, with the new service set to go live in early 2027.
Mark Irwin, Serco group chief executive, expressed his pride in securing the contract, highlighting the company’s long-standing relationship with the Ministry of Defence (MOD), saying, “It is a true privilege to partner with the UK Ministry of Defence in service of the nation’s current and future Armed Forces. Serco has supported the MOD for over 60 years, and we fully recognise the critical importance of recruiting and retaining well-trained personnel. Since the AFRS procurement process began in 2021, we have invested heavily in developing a solution that adapts to the MOD’s evolving needs.”
Anthony Kirby, Serco’s UK & Europe chief executive, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the firm’s expanded role in supporting Armed Forces personnel from recruitment through to onboarding and training.
“This contract reflects our broader capability in supporting service members throughout their career journey – from attracting and assessing candidates to providing medical evaluations and preparing recruits for military training. We are proud of our strategic partnership with the MOD and look forward to building upon this collaboration,” Kirby said.
As the prime contractor, Serco will oversee the entire recruitment process, from attracting candidates to their enlistment and onboarding into initial training.
The new system will also include the management of all Armed Forces Careers Offices across the UK. A key focus of the new service is integrated, best-in-class technology, designed to modernise and accelerate the current recruitment process while improving the overall candidate experience.
‘TEAM Serco’ – a strong network of delivery partners
To deliver this next-generation recruitment service, Serco has assembled a team of leading organisations with specialised expertise:
- Serco – Leads AFRS delivery, integrating all program activities, overseeing the transition from current recruitment arrangements and managing career advice, contact centres and fleet and estate operations.
- Pegasystems – The provider of recruitment IT systems for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, leveraging intelligent automation to modernise and streamline recruitment.
- Adecco – A global workforce solutions leader, supporting recruitment for the UK public sector and a prime partner for Australian Defence Force Recruiting.
- Akkodis – Adecco’s in-house technology business, specialising in talent management and digital solutions for Defence.
- TMP – The UK’s largest recruitment marketing agency, using innovative media campaigns to attract top talent.
- Optima Health – The UK’s leading provider of employee health assessments, delivering over a million clinical evaluations per year.
- PA Consulting – Experts in defence and security innovation, driving efficiency and transformation in Armed Forces recruitment.
- MPCT – A provider of vocational education and training for individuals aged 16+, preparing them for careers in the military and uniformed services.
Serco aims to use a modern, integrated approach, leveraging its partners’ aim to deliver a faster, more efficient recruitment system that meets the evolving needs of the UK’s Armed Forces. By harnessing technology and industry expertise, the AFRS will not only enhance candidate experience but also ensure the UK military continues to attract the best talent to serve and protect the nation.
