Meet Our Reservist Ambassador, Deborah Crampton.

Deborah Crampton has been in the Army Reserve for 14 years and is a Lance Corporal in 160 Transport Squadron Royal Logistics Corps which she joined in Oct 2021. Previously, she served in 167 Catering Support Regiment Royal Logistics Corps. Deborah, whose husband serves in the Army, always had an interest in the military and thought it would be a great way to travel and learn new skills and, after attending a familiarisation weekend at the 167 Regiment Headquarters in Grantham and she became hooked.

During her time in the 167 Catering Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, Deborah has travelled with the British Army to several different locations across the world, including USA, Gibraltar, and Germany, providing catering to Army personnel in many environments  

In April 2020, the Army called up Reservists in support of the nation’s response to COVID-19, as part of Operation Rescript. Deborah was mobilised for 12 months, stationed out of Normandy Barracks, which is based in the Garrison town of Aldershot, as part of the support team for the staff from HQ, Standing Joint Command (SJC) which is the taskforce responsible for the military’s operational response to Covid-19 and JMC(SE).

Deborah, who recently started in a new role with ESS, our Defence business, in Lincoln after previously being in our B&I business based at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil. Following her husband’s posting to RAF Waddington, we supported Deborah to find suitable alternative employment which has seen her taking up the position of Catering Manager at RAF Waddington.

Commenting on her appointment, Deborah said: “I am delighted to take on the role of Reservist Ambassador for Compass Group UK&I.  I was so pleased to be able to fulfil my commitments to the Army Reserve last year. Being supported with redeployment recently has been a huge help. I am looking forward to starting my new job and joining the Compass Group Armed Forces Covenant committee. Helping to support our Armed Forces community and shining a spotlight on the work of our reservists is really important to me.”  

So, would Deborah recommend joining the Reserves? “Definitely! Nothing beats the comradery. Being a reservist also provides more an opportunity to develop my skills, challenge me in different environments and of course travel the world. It really has brought me so many positives and I couldn’t imagine my life without the reserves. I am really grateful to work for a company that supports reservists and recognise the value we bring to our jobs back home too. “

At Compass our Reservist colleagues receive an extra 10 days annual leave to support with their training.