More than 20 companies, public bodies and charities in our region have earned one of the UK Government’s top awards for supporting the Armed Forces community.
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold and Silver Awards celebrate the positive role that all types of employer can take in supporting defence—and inspiring others to do the same.
Nine organisations across East Anglia have earned the highest honour for backing our Armed Forces—the Gold Award—from the Ministry of Defence. A further 12 employers received the next tier of recognition, a Silver Award, in 2024.
To win gold, an organisation must show exceptional commitment to the Armed Forces community, implement HR policies that accommodate their needs and encourage other employers to do the same.
Marshall Group is one of Cambridgeshire’s two 2024 Gold Award winners. The group operates in a variety of sectors and runs Cambridge City Airport, where it is also based. Christopher Walkinshaw, Group Director of External Relations and Communications, said: “To be recognised with a Gold Award in this way is a proud moment for everyone at Marshall.
“We have employed many former Armed Forces personnel in our business over the past 100-plus years. They bring a deep understanding of the military environment—which is important for so many of our customers—together with the values, culture and approach which are essential for effective teamwork.”
Gold Award winners are powerful advocates for the Armed Forces Covenant, a pledge made by employers to support reservists and bring Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and their families into the workforce. Anglia Ruskin University, which has campuses in Cambridge, Chelmsford, London and Peterborough, considers its commitment to the Covenant a key reason for its 2024 Gold Award success.
Anglia Ruskin’s Professor of Veterans and Families Studies, Prof Michael Almond, said: “The award reinforces the university’s leadership in championing the welfare and contributions of the Armed Forces within the academic and broader community. It promotes the Covenant to external organisation with which we interact, nationally and internationally.
IT infrastructure specialist David Skingley is one of many East Anglian veterans whose contributions add value to his employer. He joined Essex-based estate and property management company Spicerhaart—another of the 2024 Gold Award winners—in 2017 to manage its data servers, computer networks and hardware.
During his 26-year military career David, now 55, rose through the ranks to become a Warrant Officer in Army’s Royal Corps of Signals. “As an ex-soldier, the Armed Forces Covenant is close to my heart, and therefore it’s great to see the Spicerhaart group getting so involved,” he said.
The other East Anglian Gold Award winners this year are:
- A P Security, based in Watford
- Bedford Borough Council
- Defence Leaders, in Chelmsford
- Marlborough Highways, just outside Chelmsford
- North Norfolk Council, which has its offices in Cromer
- Smiths Detection, in Hemel Hempstead
Commander Phaedra Gibson RNR is Head of Safety at Smiths Excellence System and Sustainability, part of Smiths Group. Cdr Gibson said: “The Gold level is important for Smiths Detection as it outwardly recognises the support we have in place for Veterans, Cadets Forces and Reservists
“As part of our progression from Silver to Gold, we supported all other businesses within the Smiths Group to follow our lead and sign up to the Covenant. Not only that, our staff have engaged in…similar initiatives in other countries to ensure we support the Armed Forces community across the globe.”
The 12 Silver Award winners of 2024 from our region are:
- Aiimi, based in Milton Keynes
- AM Specialists Group Ltd, in Braintree
- British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation, in Tilbury
- Boons Transport, based in Peterborough
- Bacton Transport, in Stowmarket
- Colchester Borough Homes
- The Matthew Project, Norwich
- Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
- Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
- Shared Services Connected Ltd (SSCL), based in Hemel Hempstead
- Suffolk Police
- Waterman Aspen, Brentwood.
The Employer Recognition Scheme aligns with the new government’s manifesto promise to strengthen support for Armed Forces communities. 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 when they leave service.”
Find out more about the Employer Recognition Scheme, and how our Employer Engagement team can support you, here.