In the lead up to Armed Forces Day on Saturday, we are showcasing a number of employees who represent Armed Forces communities from Reserves, veterans, service spouses and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. First up is Beverley Evans, Project Management Coordinator and military spouse.
Military life often brings with it a unique set of challenges: frequent relocations, family disruptions and the constant balancing act of personal and professional commitments. For military spouses, this often means putting careers on hold or starting over in new, unfamiliar places. At Landmarc, we are proud to support our people through these challenges.
Bev Evans, Project Management Coordinator for the South West, shares her experience of being a military spouse at Landmarc. Bev’s story is a testament to what is possible when flexibility, compassion, trust and inclusion guide our leadership approach. Her experience offers a reminder that when we support our people, no matter where they are, we enable them to thrive and in turn, our business thrives too.
FINDING STABILITY IN THE MIDST OF CHANGE
“My journey with Landmarc began in Sennybridge as an Operations Room Administrator, where I met my husband. When he was posted to Larkhill in the South West, I had to leave behind a team I had grown close to. It was a difficult decision but I was grateful to stay within Landmarc and move into a Payroll Administrator role.”
“The transition wasn’t easy but the opportunity provided me with much-needed stability during a time of change. After returning from maternity leave, I set my sights on a new goal of becoming a Project Manager and successfully secured a fixed-term Project Management Coordinator position.
“Just as I began settling into my new role, my husband received news of a posting to Catterick in the North. The move was unavoidable and with a young child to care for, I reluctantly handed in my notice. I was devastated, I had only just started in a role I was passionate about. I worried about finding a new job, supporting my family and the impact another move would have on my future career as I already know jobs suitable for military spouses are limited and starting over yet again felt overwhelming.
“However, things started looking up when my manager Dave called and told me they were so pleased with my work, they wanted me to stay and said that I could continue in the role, working from the North.
“I’ve never felt more supported. The flexibility has meant I can continue to grow professionally without sacrificing my family’s stability. It lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. I even turned down a permanent role elsewhere because the support I received at Landmarc meant more to me.”
LEADING WITH FLEXIBILITY AND TRUST
Dave Murrell, Programme Manager and Bev’s line manager, had never managed an employee working outside of the region before. The sudden need to adapt came with uncertainty but also an opportunity to evolve.
“Bev had just joined my team and was performing exceptionally. When she told me about the move, it came as a surprise. At first, we assumed the role couldn’t be done elsewhere. But I didn’t want to lose a good team member, so I started to explore the options.
“After consulting with senior leadership, I discovered that carrying out the role from Catterick was a viable solution, as long as the work continued to meet expectations. I spoke with the rest of the team to ensure they were on board and everyone was supportive, especially because they had seen the effort Bev had put into the role and the challenges she was facing.
“Since the transition, Bev has not only maintained performance but also brought added value to the team. She’s helped keep the day-to-day operations running smoothly, especially when others are out on site. She’s proactive, dependable and fully engaged. We’ve adapted our communication routines to stay connected and collaborative. So far, it’s been a great success.”
LESSONS LEARNED AND LOOKING AHEAD
Bev’s story has helped reshape how Landmarc views flexible working, especially for employees in exceptional circumstances.
“We’re still monitoring and learning,” says Dave. “It’s been helpful that this was a fixed-term contract, as it gave us space to test the model and build confidence. Going forward, I would absolutely consider this approach again, provided we manage expectations and support structures well.”
Bev adds, “Being able to remain at Landmarc has positively impacted every area of my life. Military spouses are resilient, adaptable and bring a lot to the table; we just need opportunities like this to show what we can do.
“Without us, who is supporting the military at home? We are making sacrifices every day. It’s time more businesses opened their doors to military spouses and partners. We’re capable, committed and ready to make a difference.”
