Britain’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:
- Alexander Mann Solutions
- Amey
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
- BNY Mellon
- C S Hodges
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
- City of London Corporation
- City of Wolverhampton Council
- Compass
- Defence Medical Welfare Service
- Dumfries and Galloway Council
- Durham County Council
- East of England Ambulance Service
- Ernst & Young (EY)
- Forward Assist Veterans Charity
- Future Sales Factory
- Handy Heroes
- ITI Network Services Ltd
- James McVicar Printing Works
- Kent County Council
- Landmarc Support Services Ltd
- Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
- Leonardo
- Lloyd’s of London
- London Borough of Wandsworth (Wandsworth Council)
- London Southbank University
- MBDA UK
- Newcastle City Council
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- NHS Hastings and Rother CCG and NHS Eastboarne, Hailsham and Seaford CCG
- NHS Orkney
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Northumberland County Council
- Portsmouth City Council
- Raytheon Systems Limited
- The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust
- Sage
- SaluteMyJob
- SGN
- SkillForce
- South Tyneside Council
- Sovini
- Standard Life Aberdeen Plc
- Stoll
- Swansea Council
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
- University of Lincoln
- University of South Wales
- 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.