The Officers’ Association, the organisation committed to ensuring that former officers and their dependants live with dignity and independence, has appointed Sophia Koniarska as its regional business development manager for the West.
Sophia, pictured, brings expertise in corporate social responsibility to the new role, which will focus on developing relationships with businesses across the region – ensuring they are supported in recruiting a wealth of talent from the ex-military community. 
Sophia most recently worked with Spanish telecom giant Telefonica’s Think Big project, a global digital sustainability programme. Prior to that she spent more than three years leading Business in the Community’s flagship engagement initiative – The Prince’s Seeing is Believing Programme – where she worked with a network of 850-plus companies to drive engagement with senior leadership.
Sophia, who is based in the association’s Bristol office, said: “This is a fantastic time to join the team and I am excited at the prospect of developing a vibrant network across the South West.
“I’m looking forward to supporting ex-military in their transition and working with employers to highlight the qualities and expertise this community has to offer organisations.”
The Officers’ Association’s (OA) head of employment Liz Stevens added: “This is a pivotal time for the OA as we continue to develop our regional outreach to the ex-military community. We are delighted to have Sophia’s wealth of experience in both the business and non-for-profit sectors and look forward to working with her during this period of innovation and growth.”
The OA was formed in 1920 in the aftermath of World War One, when hundreds of former officers found themselves in difficulties, unable to find a job, and sometimes with no money, shelter or means of support.
It now helps thousands of former offices each year employment and benevolence matters.
