Royal British Veterans Enterprise (RBVE) has appointed Kent-based contractor Magrock to build its new social enterprise factory, marking a major step forward in its plans to create more employment opportunities for veterans and people with disabilities.

The new factory will support the continued growth of RBVE’s social enterprise, which already produces more than 250,000 road, rail and commercial signs every year for customers including Network Rail and National Highways.

RBVE’s manufacturing businesses are recognised as leaders in social procurement, demonstrating how commercial success and social impact can go hand in hand. It creates meaningful employment for veterans and people with disabilities while delivering high-quality products for some of the country’s largest organisations.

While the new factory will increase production, the real impact will be measured in the opportunities it creates.

RBVE exists to help people who can face significant barriers to employment, particularly veterans and people with disabilities. Today, more than 70% of employees within its manufacturing businesses are veterans, disabled, or both.

As demand for its products and services continues to grow, the new factory will give RBVE the space to create even more opportunities for people looking to build skills, confidence and long-term careers.

The project will also create jobs during the construction phase, supporting employment and investment in the local economy.

The development will also include a new Training Academy, creating a dedicated space for learning, employability support and skills development. The academy will build on RBVE’s existing work helping unemployed veterans gain qualifications, confidence and pathways into sustainable employment.

At a time when many veterans and people with disabilities continue to face barriers to finding and staying in work, the factory and Training Academy will help create new routes into employment, training and long-term careers.

Choosing a Kent-based contractor was an important part of the decision.

By appointing Magrock, RBVE is helping to create and sustain jobs in Kent, generating opportunities for local businesses throughout the supply chain and ensuring the economic benefits of the project are felt across the county.

Lisa Farmer OBE, Chief Executive of RBVE, said:

“This is a milestone for RBVE. Demand for our products and services continues to grow, and this new factory will allow us to create even more opportunities for veterans and people with disabilities.

“The factory and Training Academy will help us create hundreds of new employment, learning and development opportunities in the years ahead, enabling even more people to build skills, confidence and long-term careers.

“Every new role we create represents another person gaining the chance to build a successful future through meaningful work.

“I’m also delighted to be working with Magrock. Keeping investment local mattered to us, and we’re proud to be partnering with a Kent business to deliver this exciting project.”

Richard Brewer, Managing director at Magrock, said:

“This is exactly the kind of project we are proud to be involved with. Beyond constructing a new factory, we are helping create a facility that will generate employment opportunities and social value across Kent.

“Working with Royal British Veterans Enterprise, we have the opportunity to deliver a high-quality building that supports veterans and people with disabilities into work, while strengthening the local economy. We are excited to get started and to see the long-term impact this investment will have on the community.”

Last year alone, RBVE generated £2.4 million in social value through disability employment.

As businesses and public sector organisations place greater emphasis on social value, RBVE has shown how manufacturing can be a force for good, creating high-quality products while changing lives through employment.

The new factory and Training Academy will help the organisation build on that impact while ensuring even more people can access the opportunities, skills and support they need to thrive.