50 employers awarded gold for supporting the armed forces

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 Ministry of Defence (MOD) has today announced Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) ‘Gold Awards’ for 50 businesses and organisations who have shown outstanding support for the armed forces community.

The winners include four Welsh employers; Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board, City and County of Swansea Council and the University of South Wales.

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 ERS 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.”

The full list of 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

CLICK HERE to find out more about the Employer Recognition Scheme and Armed Forces Covenant in Wales.