Seventeen businesses based in East Anglia received the Ministry of Defence’s ERS Silver award this year.
Recipients of the Silver award in East Anglia will be invited to attend a celebration dinner later this year in recognition of their achievement. There they will have an opportunity to meet other like-minded employers and discuss future ambitions with key military personnel from the region.
This year, the East Anglia recipients are:
In Cambridgeshire: Buffaload Logistics Ltd and Dolphin Appliance Care Ltd.
In Essex: Defence Leaders, Gepp Solicitors, Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust, Network Training Partnership, Ringway Jacobs, Rose Builders and Tendring District Council.
In Hertfordshire: Life Environmental Services Ltd and Sonovision Ltd.
In Norfolk: 3Sun Group, Norfolk County Council and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust.
In Suffolk: Drain Doctor, RCR Services and Sackers Recycling.
These employers join 96 other East Anglia based employers who currently hold a Silver award, out of a total of over 800 across the UK. Each award lasts for five years, during which time award holders can display electronic certificates and logos on their website, stationery and other collateral.
Initially with the remit to recognise those employers who aim to support reservists, either as employees or potential employees, its remit has since broadened. Now, the Employer Recognition Scheme rewards those organisations that aim to support veterans, military spouses and cadet instructors, as well as reservists.
Jennifer Canham, Associate Director of Human Resources at Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted that our support for the Armed Forces has been recognised with a Silver Award from the Ministry of Defence. We are proud to welcome reservists and veterans to the workforce and supporting their enormous contribution to the wider public services.”
Silver award holders demonstrate support for Defence by employing at least one Reservist, actively communicating and projecting a positive image of Defence to their employees via established HR policies and procedures. They also support Reservists by giving them the flexibility needed to plan and fulfil their annual training and mobilisation commitments.
Norfolk County Council leader, Councillor Andrew Proctor, said: “We are immensely proud to receive this award, in recognition of the support we give to the armed forces community as an employer of veterans, military spouses / partners and reservists.
He added: “Former serving personnel are highly trained, very committed and they bring a broad range of skills to civilian roles.”
Norfolk County Council signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2012 and currently employs 25 veterans, 11 military spouses and one reserve. Its initiatives include:
- Actively encouraging members of the armed forces community to apply for jobs, through the council’s Guaranteed Interview Scheme;
- Flexible working policies, which enable our armed forces staff to manage their working hours around the needs of the business and to meet the demands of service and family life.
- An additional 10 days paid leave for reservists, to enable them to train and attend their regiment’s annual camp. Arrangements are in place to allow reserves to join operations as requested by the MOD.
Mike Cubbin, CEO of Gepp Solicitors, said: “As an employer we have seen the value that ex-military personnel bring to a business; employing veterans allows us to give something back to those who have served but also adds value to our firm. Gaining the Silver Award is brilliant because it means that our desire to invest in the Armed Forces community has been recognised.”
The Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme was established in 2014 to recognise and reward UK public and private employers for their support and commitment to Defence. The scheme was a commitment made in the July 2013 White Paper ‘Reserves in the Future Forces 2020’.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “These awards recognise the outstanding support for our armed forces from employers across Britain and I would like to thank and congratulate each and every one.
“Regardless of size, location or sector, employing ex-forces personnel is good for business and this year we have doubled the number of awards’ in recognition of the fantastic support they give.”
To learn more about the Employer Recognition Scheme, click here. If you would like to explore how your company can become involved and receive recognition, please contact the East Anglia Employer Engagement Team on 01245 244 800.