Exhibitors

Mission Community at the CV Show

The commercial vehicle sector sits at the heart of the UK economy—and increasingly, at the centre of a national workforce challenge.

Mission Community is a UK non-profit organisation working at the intersection of industry, defence, and social impact. Our role is simple: connect the Armed Forces community with sectors that need their skills, and help industry translate intent into action.

At the CV Show 2026, we’re bringing that mission into focus.

Why This Matters

The Armed Forces community represents one of the most highly trained, adaptable, and underutilised talent pools in the UK.

At the same time, the commercial vehicle sector is facing sustained pressure across:

• Engineering and technical roles
• Logistics and fleet operations
• Infrastructure and support services

This isn’t a coincidence—it’s a mismatch.

Our job is to fix it.

What We’re Delivering at CVS

Mission Community will lead a focused Armed Forces engagement programme across the event, including:

• Live Armed Forces Covenant signings with industry leaders
• MOD-supported ceremonial presence
• Skills-led storytelling connecting defence experience to sector needs
• On-stand engagement with veterans, service leavers, and employers

This is not a token gesture—it’s a structured intervention designed to drive real outcomes.

Mission Automotive – Leading the Way

The commercial vehicle sector doesn’t need to start from scratch.

Our Mission Automotive programme has already set the benchmark for industry-led Armed Forces engagement—working with over 100 employers to improve recruitment pathways, retention, and understanding of military talent.

👉 Explore Mission Automotive:
https://www.missionautomotive.org

Through this programme, we’ve demonstrated what works:

• Translating military skills into industry language
• Supporting employers through the Armed Forces Covenant
• Building long-term, sector-wide collaboration

CVS is the next step; taking that proven model and applying it directly to the commercial vehicle ecosystem.

Veteran Industry Engagement – Get Involved

For organisations looking to move beyond intent and into delivery, the UK Government’s Veterans Industry Engagement Programme provides a clear framework for action.

👉 Learn more:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/veterans-industry-engagement-programme

This programme supports employers to:

• Understand the value of Armed Forces talent
• Align recruitment and workforce strategies
• Deliver meaningful commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant

Mission Community works alongside this framework; helping industry turn guidance into tangible outcomes.

A Platform for Industry Leadership

CVS 2026 is more than an event moment—it’s a signal.

A signal that the commercial vehicle sector:

• Recognises the workforce challenge
• Is prepared to act
• Is willing to lead

This activation also forms part of a wider national programme, connecting into initiatives across manufacturing, clean energy, and infrastructure, where workforce resilience is now a strategic priority.

What Happens Next

If you’re an exhibitor, partner, or stakeholder at CVS, there are three simple ways to engage:

1. Attend the Covenant signing ceremony
2. Speak to the Mission Community team on-site
3. Explore how your organisation can get involved through Mission Automotive or wider sector programmes

The Bottom Line

This isn’t about awareness.

It’s about workforce, capability, and national resilience.

And the organisations that move early will be the ones that benefit.