DWF Advises Serco on Groundbreaking MoD Armed Forces Recruitment Deal

DWF, the global provider of integrated legal and business services, has advised Serco on securing a landmark contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the delivery of the new Armed Forces Recruiting Service (AFRS), a project poised to revolutionise how individuals enlist in the Armed Forces.

This pioneering AFRS initiative marks a significant shift by replacing the current, separate recruitment systems of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force with a single, cohesive entry route. Scheduled to launch in 2027, the unified service is designed to modernise the recruitment process and attract exceptional talent from across the UK.

Serco was awarded the prestigious contract after a competitive tender process. Throughout the transaction, DWF’s commercial team provided essential legal and strategic support to help Serco conclude multiple agreements with both the Ministry of Defence and key delivery partners.

Commenting, commercial and public sector partner, Colin Murray, said: “We are delighted and proud to be supporting Serco on this landmark contract with the Ministry of Defence which represents a significant step forward in modernising and streamlining military recruitment. Finalising the contracts required a high level of legal and commercial expertise, and our team has worked tirelessly to navigate the intricacies of this process.”

Greg Nicoll, Chief Legal & Risk Officer – UK & Europe at Serco, said: “We are delighted to partner with the UK Ministry of Defence to support the recruitment of the nation’s future Armed Forces personnel. With over 60 years of collaboration with the MoD, we understand the vital role that effective recruitment plays in maintaining a well-trained and committed military workforce. Since the AFRS procurement began in 2021, we and our partners have been dedicated to developing a solution that meets the evolving needs of the Armed Forces. We look forward to continuing our work with the MoD to ensure this service remains agile and effective. A special thank you to DWF for their invaluable support and expertise on this project.”