Defence

100 employers awarded for supporting UK armed forces

Posted 22 August 2019

One hundred employers are being recognised today by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for their outstanding support for the armed forces community by being awarded an Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.

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They will be presented with their awards on 12th November 2019 at the National Army Museum in London.

The Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards represent the highest badge of honour available to those that employ and support those who serve, veterans, and their families. The scheme continues to grow year on year with awardees doubling in the last 12 months, taking the total to 228.

Employers have won awards for initiatives such as employing veterans, supporting individuals transitioning out of the armed forces into a new career and providing flexibility for reservists. Included are 23 local authorities, 13 NHS hospitals and trusts and 29 SMEs.

The 100 winners have been recognised for their long-term commitment to the armed forces, with companies from the public and private sector achieving the top grade. Each has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, and where possible, engages with the MOD’s Career Transition Partnership (CTP) to promote the recruitment of service leavers, as well as honouring individual pledges of support.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "These awards recognise the outstanding support for our armed forces from employers across Britain and I would like to thank and congratulate each and every one.

"Regardless of size, location or sector, employing ex-forces personnel is good for business and this year we have doubled the number of awards in recognition of the fantastic support they give."

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Johnny Mercer said: 2Veterans make a huge contribution to businesses across the country and it’s fantastic to see a record breaking number of organisations recognised for their support.

"We’re working closely with businesses to help them further understand the huge value that veterans, reservists and military spouses can bring to their organisation."

Amazon UK has a dedicated Military Talent Acquisition team as well as hosting Military Insight Days. Doug Gurr, their UK Country Manager said: "We are delighted to have been awarded Gold in the UK Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is recognition of the huge contribution hundreds of UK ex-Service personnel make every day here at Amazon.

"The transferable skills of veterans and reservists are a great fit for a company made up of builders, innovators and inventors. So as we continue to invent on behalf of our customers, we hope to see more come build the future with us."

Georgina Yellowlees, Director Talent Acquisition Amazon EMEA comments: "Amazon UK are exceptionally proud to receive the ERS Gold Award in recognition of our support to the armed forces. Veterans, reservists and military spouses form an extremely important part of our ever-growing workforce.

"Their leadership and management skills, honed during military service, are second to none, driving our ability to keep our customer promise every day."

IED Training Solutions Ltd was set up in 2015 by two former Royal Marines and has a strong reputation in the field of risk and trauma management, drawing heavily on the team’s military training and expertise. Ian Clark the Managing Director said: "We feel honoured and incredibly proud to receive this recognition for our work and continued commitment to the Armed Forces community and supporting this community is a primary focus for IED.

"The company is wholly owned and operated by former full career Royal Marines and ‘the Commando Distinction’ characteristics - versatility, value, excellence - very much underpin our business strategy.

"As a national business which provides training and consultancy, we’re well placed to advocate the benefits of Reservists and service leavers. We believe the leadership and technical skills that military personnel develop during their service, prepare them well for career transition."

The 2019 Employer Recognition Scheme Gold award winners are:
    Aberdeenshire Council
    Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
    Alford Technologies Ltd
    Amazon UK
    Amazon Web Services
    AmmarM UK Limited
    Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
    Anglian Water
    Arcanum Information Security Ltd
    Ascot Care
    Auctus Management Group Ltd
    Biscoes Solicitors
    Bovis Homes
    Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
    Brunel University
    Caerphilly County Borough Council
    CAIS
    Carbon60
    Caterpillar Peterlee
    CDS Defence Support
    CGI UK
    Charnwood Borough Council
    City Building
    City of Edinburgh Council
    City of York Council
    Colchester Borough Council
    College of West Anglia
    Conwy County Borough Council
    County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service
    CPPC Logistic Group of Companies Ltd
    Derbyshire Community Health Service NHS Foundation Trust
    Digital Telecoms Network Academy Ltd
    East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
    Edinburgh Napier University
    Finchale Group
    Flintshire County Council
    Focus7 International Ltd
    Foreland Shipping Limited
    G&A Security NE Ltd
    GE (UK & Ireland)
    Harrison Clark Rickerbys Solicitors
    Hartlepool Borough Council
    Hertfordshire County Council
    High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd
    HMP Whitemoor
    IED Training Solutions Limited
    Inzpire Ltd
    Jacobs UK Ltd
    KBR UK Ltd
    Knockhill Racing Circuit
    Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
    Leidos Europe Ltd
    London Borough of Lewisham
    London Electronics Ltd
    Midlothian Council
    Morrison Utility Services
    Motivational Preparation College For Training (MPCT)
    Newport City Council
    North Tyneside Council
    North Warwickshire Borough Council
    Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust
    Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council
    OppO Recruitment Limited
    Police Scotland
    The Poppy Factory
    Qioptiq Ltd
    Rangers Football Club & Rangers Charity Foundation
    Rolls-Royce plc
    Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
    Royal Mail Group Limited
    Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
    Rushcliffe Borough Council
    Santander UK
    Schroders
    SecureCloud+ Limited
    South Tyneside Homes
    Sporting Force
    St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
    St Helens Council
    Stirling Council
    Sunderland City Council
    Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group
    Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
    Thales UK Ltd
    Tom Harrison House
    Trafford Council
    Travis Perkins
    TSG Marine
    University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
    University of Central Lancashire
    Veolia UK
    Virgin Money
    Vodafone
    Wagtail UK Limited
    Warwickshire Police
    West Dunbartonshire Council
    West Mercia Police
    West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust
    Wood Plc
    Yodel