Employers from across the UK, including East Anglia, have been recognised for their exceptional support to the Armed Forces community by winning an Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.
Since its launch in 2014, the Gold Award has become the highest badge of honour for employers who champion reservists, veterans, military families and cadet force adult volunteers in the workplace. This year’s winners demonstrate the power of values-led leadership, creating more inclusive, resilient, and dynamic organisations. Supporting Defence is not just the right thing to do, it also makes strong business sense.
Our region’s 11 new Gold Award holders are:
- Absolute Enforcement Limited
- AM Specialists Group Ltd
- Buffaload Logistics
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust
- East Norfolk Multi Academy Trust
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
- NORSE Group
- Ramsay Health Care UK
- SGC Holdings Ltd trading as SGC Security Services
Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns DSO OBE MC MP, said: “Employers are crucial partners in protecting our security and boosting the economy. By backing veterans, reservists, military families, cadet force adult volunteers and the Armed Forces cadet movement, these organisations build resilient communities and the innovation Defence needs.
“I congratulate them and thank them for their outstanding commitment.”
This year’s recipients across the country highlight the growing range and depth of employer support for the Armed Forces community. These organisations lead by example, helping to shift national attitudes and raise standards across their sectors.
To achieve Gold, employers must:
- Provide at least 10 days’ additional paid leave for reservists to help them fulfil training and deployment commitments
- Implement HR policies for veterans and cadet force adult volunteers
- Advocate for Defence across their networks and sectors
- Demonstrate sustained commitment well beyond the minimum requirements of the Armed Forces Covenant and lower tier awards.
The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) is one of the UK-wide winners. Daniel Maguire, head of markets for LSEG, said: “The Gold Award recognises our long-term commitment to supporting the Defence community…Their resilience, adaptability and unwavering sense of duty enrich our workplace and strengthen our culture across the globe, inspiring excellence across our business.”
Richard Rees, managing director of Savills (UK) Ltd, said: “Savills applied for the Gold level Employer Recognition Scheme to demonstrate the strength of our commitment to the Armed Forces community. We have an exceptional employee offer, and our business provides a strong cultural fit for those with a background in the Armed Forces.
“We aim to be an example within our sector, advocating for the Armed Forces community to other businesses, suppliers and clients, and the recognition that we are achieving this is very welcome.”
Steve Ager, chief commercial officer, and executive sponsor of the Boots Armed Forces Alliance Business Resource Group, said: “We’re thrilled to receive this recognition through the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Boots has a proud history of supporting the Armed Forces in the UK, and this award reflects our continued commitment to supporting the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.”
A full list of the 2025 Gold Award recipients is published on the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme website.
