John Deere breaks into UK top 15 for hiring veterans
John Deere has landed a place among the UK’s top 15 employers of armed forces leavers, underlining the impact of its Military Hiring Programme and its push to bring more veterans into agricultural and turfcare careers.
The ranking comes from the GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme, which measures how well organisations support former service personnel.
John Deere was in the top 50 last year and has now climbed into the top 15 for 2026, with its final position due to be revealed in June at the British Forces in Business Awards.
“We are passionate about finding a way to give back to those who have served our country,” said Allan Cochran, John Deere branch training manager for the UK and Ireland. He said veterans are a strong fit for technician roles across the dealer network, bringing teamwork, discipline and a shared sense of purpose.
Launched in the UK in 2023, following a similar initiative in the US, the Military Hiring Programme links former armed forces personnel with technician vacancies at John Deere dealerships. It is aimed at easing the move into civilian employment while helping the farm machinery sector tackle ongoing skills shortages.
Support for the initiative is also growing across the dealer network. Hunt Forest Group, Ripon Farm Services, Ben Burgess and Tallis Amos Group have all signed the Armed Forces Covenant, reinforcing their commitment to fair treatment for service leavers and their families.
With more than 15,000 people leaving the British Armed Forces each year, the programme highlights a valuable talent pool for farm machinery businesses looking for technical skill, leadership and reliability. More information on the John Deere Military Hiring Programme is available at Deere.com/JDMHP.
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