Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award 2018Britain’s top supporters of the armed forces have been revealed, with a record number of businesses, charities and public sector bodies winning awards.

The MOD has announced ‘Gold Awards’ for 50 businesses and organisations who have shown outstanding support for the Armed Forces community.

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.

Now in its fifth year, the MOD’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 50 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 Career Transition Partnership (CTP) to promote the recruitment of service leavers, as well as honouring individual pledges of support.

The Minister for Defence People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood said:

“The breadth and diversity of this year’s winners shows how business support for the Armed Forces continues to flourish. Their commitment is a testament to the fantastic contribution our serving personnel, veterans and their families can make to any organisation.

“We all have a role to play in ensuring that the Armed Forces community is not disadvantaged by service, and each of these employers is a setting an example as meaningful advocates for those protecting the nation.”

Commenting on their Gold status, Helen Merriott, EY Partner and sponsor of the firm’s military network, said:

“At EY we recognise the value of employing ex-service personnel and Reservists who have a wealth of transferable skills and leadership qualities. We work closely with candidates to help them translate their military experience into skills for the private sector and once employed we provide ongoing support through a mentoring scheme.

“We also encourage other businesses to create a veterans’ hiring programme and establish internal military networks. Our own Buddy Scheme has been particularly successful in helping new joiners transition into EY. From the time they accept an offer, new employees from the Armed Forces Community are paired with someone in the firm who has had a similar service and resettlement experience and is keen to provide support.

“This award is further recognition of the investment we make in attracting and retaining talented individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experience. Earlier this year EY was ranked by The Sunday Times as the 10th best company to work for, and our military network was cited as a contributing factor.

“We are honoured to have received this recognition of our work and our continued commitment to the Armed Forces Community.”

 Royal Marines veteran Matthew Hammond, co-founder of Gold Award winner Handy Heroes, added:

“Our whole ethos and brand was founded on the employment of ex-military and helping them with their ongoing professional development. We see it as our duty to ensure we are ambassadors for the military and ex-military community though our work.”

The 2018 Employer Recognition Scheme Gold award winners are:

  1. Alexander Mann Solutions
  2. Amey
  3. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
  4. BNY Mellon
  5. C S Hodges
  6. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
  7. City of London Corporation
  8. City of Wolverhampton Council
  9. Compass
  10. Defence Medical Welfare Service
  11. Dumfries and Galloway Council
  12. Durham County Council
  13. East of England Ambulance Service
  14. Ernst & Young (EY)
  15. Forward Assist Veterans Charity
  16. Future Sales Factory
  17. Handy Heroes
  18. ITI Network Services Ltd
  19. James McVicar Printing Works
  20. Kent County Council
  21. Landmarc Support Services Ltd
  22. Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
  23. Leonardo
  24. Lloyd’s of London
  25. London Borough of Wandsworth (Wandsworth Council)
  26. London Southbank University
  27. MBDA UK
  28. Newcastle City Council
  29. Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  30. NHS Hastings and Rother CCG and NHS Eastboarne, Hailsham and Seaford CCG
  31. NHS Orkney
  32. Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  33. Northumberland County Council
  34. Portsmouth City Council
  35. Raytheon Systems Limited
  36. The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  37. Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust
  38. Sage
  39. SaluteMyJob
  40. SGN
  41. SkillForce
  42. South Tyneside Council
  43. Sovini
  44. Standard Life Aberdeen Plc
  45. Stoll
  46. Swansea Council
  47. University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
  48. University of Lincoln
  49. University of South Wales
  50. WYG

In our West Midlands region we are pleased to congratulate our two Gold Award winners, The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the City of Wolverhampton Council, on gaining the scheme’s highest award.  Thank you for your continued support.

To find out more about the Employer Recognition Scheme and how your business can benefit from supporting members of the Armed Forces community, visit our website here.