The monthly Rose RV evenings keep the network alive between events, but the ROSE Forums are where the network shows its full strength. Five times a year, across five cities, the Intelligence Corps Family comes together for an evening that combines structured insight with genuine connection. If you have not attended one yet, here is what to expect — and why they are worth the journey.
Five locations, one consistent standard
ROSE Forums are held annually in London (twice), Bristol, Manchester, and Edinburgh. The geographic spread is deliberate. The Corps Family is not concentrated in one place, and neither should the network be. Whether you are based near Chicksands, posted to Edinburgh, or settled in the South West after leaving, there should be a Forum within reasonable reach.
Each location brings its own character, but the format and quality are consistent. You will get the same calibre of speakers, the same depth of conversation, and the same welcoming atmosphere whether you attend in Bristol or London. The network does not dilute as it travels — it adapts.
The format: structured but not stiff
Unlike the Rose RV, which is entirely informal, the Forums have a structure. A typical evening includes:
- Welcome and introductions — a brief overview of the network's current activity and any announcements
- Short presentations — usually two or three speakers covering topics relevant to the Corps Family, from sector insights to practical transition advice
- Panel discussion or Q&A — an opportunity to hear from a range of perspectives and ask direct questions
- Networking — the largest block of the evening, where the real value often emerges
The structure gives the evening direction without making it feel corporate. Presentations are kept short and practical — nobody is there to sit through a lecture. The emphasis is always on information that attendees can act on, whether that is a new sector opportunity, a practical tip for interview preparation, or an introduction to an employer who understands military backgrounds.
Who speaks at the Forums
The speaker lineup varies from event to event, but typically includes a mix of:
- Veteran entrepreneurs — people from the Corps Family who have built businesses after leaving and can speak honestly about the realities of that path
- Civilian employers — organisations that actively value military experience and want to explain what they look for and how to approach them
- Career advisors and coaches — professionals who specialise in military-to-civilian transition and can offer practical, actionable guidance
- Serving personnel — occasionally, serving members share their perspective on what they need from the network as they plan ahead
What unites all Forum speakers is relevance. They are not there to deliver generic career advice — they are there because they understand the specific challenges and advantages that come with an Intelligence Corps background.
Corporate hosting: what it means in practice
ROSE Forums are typically hosted by a corporate partner. The most recent London Forum, for example, was hosted by Deloitte. This is not a commercial arrangement — it reflects genuine interest from major employers in engaging with the Intelligence Corps community.
In practical terms, corporate hosting means the Forum is held at a professional venue, usually the host company's own offices or a nearby event space. The host organisation often provides refreshments and may give a short presentation about opportunities within their business. This gives attendees a direct window into how a major employer operates and what they look for in candidates — insight that is difficult to get from a job listing or a careers website.
"Hearing directly from a hiring manager at a company like Deloitte — in their own building, in a room full of people who understand your background — is completely different from reading a job advert. You get a real sense of the culture, the expectations, and whether it's somewhere you could see yourself."
What attendees take away
Ask anyone who has attended a ROSE Forum what they got out of it, and the answers tend to cluster around a few themes:
- Sector insight — understanding which industries are actively seeking people with intelligence, analytical, and security backgrounds, and what those roles actually look like day to day
- Direct employer contact — the chance to meet and speak with employers who genuinely understand military experience, rather than having to explain it from scratch
- Practical guidance — concrete advice on CVs, interviews, salary negotiation, and the unwritten rules of civilian recruitment that no one tells you about
- Confidence — the reassurance that comes from being in a room full of people who have successfully made the transition you are about to undertake
- A wider network — connections that extend beyond the evening itself, often leading to follow-up conversations, introductions, and in some cases, job offers
The atmosphere
The Forums strike a balance that is surprisingly difficult to achieve: they are structured enough to deliver genuine value but informal enough to feel authentic. There are no hard sells, no recruitment pitches disguised as presentations, and no pressure to commit to anything. The atmosphere is professional but warm — think more "regimental dinner without the formality" than "careers fair."
First-timers sometimes worry about not knowing anyone. In practice, the shared background means conversations start easily. The Corps Family is not a large community, and the degrees of separation are usually small. You will almost certainly find common ground with the person standing next to you within the first few minutes.
How to find out about upcoming Forums
ROSE Forum dates and locations are announced through The ROSE Network's channels. The five annual events are spread across the calendar to provide regular touchpoints throughout the year. If you want to be notified about upcoming Forums:
- Check the Events page for the latest schedule
- Get in touch to be added to the mailing list
- Attend a Rose RV evening — Forum dates are always discussed there
Whether you are six months from your terminal leave date or six years into a civilian career and considering a change, the Forums are designed for you. The network exists to serve the whole Corps Family, at every stage. All you need to do is turn up.