Eleven East Anglian organisations to receive Ministry of Defence Gold Award

The Ministry of Defence today announced the winners of the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award 2022.

Of the 156 winners of a Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award this year, 11 are headquartered in East Anglia. These organisations will be invited to receive their award later in the year at a special event in London. Congratulations to:

Breckland District Council
CYSIAM Ltd
Essex County Council
Essex Police
Fortis Vision Limited
I&C Limited trading as Red7Marine
iCARP CIC
Instalcom Ltd
Sopra Steria
Tendring District Council
Walking with the Wounded  
Morson Group (revalidation)

Minister for Defence People Leo Docherty said: “Regardless of size, location or sector, employing members of the Armed Forces community is good for businesses. These awards recognise the outstanding support for our Armed Forces from employers across the UK and I would like to thank and congratulate each and every one.”

Kristina Carrington, the Ministry of Defence’s Regional Employer Engagement Director for East Anglia, said:  “We are delighted and humbled that so many of our employers have been awarded a Gold Award, the highest accolade available.  Following, what has been a difficult few years for us all, they have gone above and beyond to support our Armed Forces Community – they have our sincerest thanks. 

The Gold ERS Award is the Ministry of Defence’s highest badge of honour for employers who actively support the Armed Forces community in their workplace and also encourage others to follow their lead.

The award scheme, which attracts entries from companies in every part of the country and in the private and public sectors, has seen a rapid increase in participation since it launched in 2014. These employers are being recognised for the meaningful steps they have taken to ensure veterans, reservists and military spouses are treated fairly in employment. The Gold Award winners 2022 will be added to the full list of winners, which can be found here on gov.uk.

To win an award from the Ministry of Defence, organisations must show that they provide 10 extra paid days leave for reservists and have supportive HR policies in place for veterans, reserves, Cadet Force adult volunteers and spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.
They must also advocate the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community, by encouraging others to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and engage in the Employer Recognition Scheme.

The Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards continues to grow in strength each year, with a current total of 643 holders. Organisations must re-apply after five years in order to retain their Gold Award status.

156 organisations have been recognised by the UK Government for their outstanding support towards the Armed Forces community.

Of the winners, 44% are either micro-organisations or small and medium sized enterprises, while 33% are public organisations. Councils, charities, blue light services, retail and insurance companies are among those that have been recognised. Among those recognised include Morgan Stanley, IBM, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Admiral Group and Groundwork.

Head of People at Admiral Group Rhian Langham said: “We’re thrilled to be recognised with the prestigious Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award. Inclusivity is a key part of our culture at Admiral, and we’re proud to create an environment where everyone feels supported. Our colleagues with Armed Forces connections have such a positive impact on our business, particularly through their impressive resilience and adaptability, and we’re committed to continue giving them the support they need.”

Executive Director at Groundwork Greater Manchester Mike Ormond said: “Groundwork Greater Manchester are extremely proud and delighted to receive an Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence. Our work with the Armed Forces Community, especially supporting veterans to gain new skills and employment, has become a cornerstone of the trust’s activity and this award is a reflection of the amazing outcomes and advocacy services our Veteran’s Employment Team deliver. We are also fully committed as an organisation to supporting the Armed Forces veterans and reservists who are employed at Groundwork as we recognise the breadth of transferable skills, knowledge and experience they bring to the company as well as the service they have given to our country.”

To receive local support to find out how your organisation could support Defence personnel in the workplace, visit our page.

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