Organisations 'win gold' for supporting Armed Forces community
193 organisations, nationally, have been recognised by the UK Government with the highest badge of honour for supporting the Armed Forces community.
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award recognises the positive role that employers play in supporting defence and inspiring others to do the same.
This year organisations of all sizes, from all sectors and from across the UK have been successful, and the fourteen winners from the West Midlands region are:
- Allsports Coaches Coaching Academy CIC, Shropshire
- Career Pursuit CIC, Shropshire
- Carwood Motor Units Limited, Warwickshire
- Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, Warwickshire
- Leominster Town Council, Herefordshire
- Marston's PLC, West Midlands
- NP Aerospace Limited, Warwickshire
- Risk Evolves Ltd, Warwickshire
- Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire
- Summit Learning Trust, West Midlands
- Telent Technology Services Limited, Warwickshire
- Unmanned Air Veterans Ltd, Warwickshire
- Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Worcestershire
- Worcestershire County Council, Worcestershire
In total, 33 sectors, nationally, are represented from Healthcare and Education to Local Authority and Food and Beverage. To win a gold, an organisation must demonstrate exceptional commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.
The winners have all been powerful advocates for the Armed Forces Covenant by actively engaging with their peers, encouraging them to employ Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and their families, and providing robust and sustained support for Reservists.
Gold status is also awarded to those who implement HR policies that accommodate the needs of the Armed Forces community, while continuously promoting this advocacy within their own networks and industry.
The scheme aligns with the new government’s manifesto promise to strengthen support for Armed Forces communities, including putting the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law and a commitment to create a new Armed Forces Commissioner to improve service life and be a strong, independent voice for service personnel and their families.
Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns said: “Our Armed Forces Community make incredible sacrifices to keep the nation safe, and it is only right that they are welcomed and valued in the workplace. This scheme aligns with this government’s determination to renew the nation’s contract with our Armed Forces.
“I would like to thank the nearly 200 organisations that have been recognised with a gold award this year. Their continued support ensures that our Armed Forces Community are given opportunities needed to flourish.”
