HRH Prince Edward Earl of Wessex presented fifty-one UK employers with an Armed Forces Covenant Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award.
The gold award is the Ministry of Defence’s most prestigious badge of honour for organisations that have demonstrated outstanding support for the Armed Forces community.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson hosted the award presentation at Lancaster House on Monday 12th November.
HRH Prince Edward Earl of Wessex speaks to the NHS Orkney team.
Prince Edward spent time with each of the employers and heard about the different support measures available to reservists in the workplace. These included increased annual leave, mentoring and support for military spouses and families. Each organisation was congratulated for all their continued support.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Those who have served our country so courageously deserve the full support of organisations across the public and private sector.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson addressing the room.
“The breadth and diversity of this year’s Gold Award winners shows how business support for the armed forces continues to flourish. I offer my gratitude and congratulations to all the winners.”
NHS Orkney was one of the organisations that received the honour.
Chief Executive Gerry O’Brien said: “Everyone working for the board is delighted by this honour. We take our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces very seriously. Current and former servicemen and women bring with them a wealth of expertise which we can use to maintain and improve the health of people across the county.”
Minister of Defence People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood, was amongst senior representatives of the Ministry of Defence. The Minister said: “When people leave the armed forces, they do so with unique skills and experiences that can benefit businesses and organisations across the country.
“These awards show just how valued and in demand these skills are. I encourage more businesses to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant and show their support for our brave service leavers.”
The employers recognised with the ERS Gold distinction in 2018 for going above and beyond their pledges under the Armed Forces Covenant are:
The team at NHS Orkney.
Amey, Compass Group UK and Ireland, Ernst & Young, Leonardo, Lloyd’s of London, Sage, C S Hodges, East of England Ambulance Service, MBDA UK, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Raytheon Systems Limited, SkillForce, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, University of Lincoln, Alexander Mann Solutions, BNY Mellon, City of London Corporation, Handy Heroes, London Borough of Wandsworth, London South Bank University, Stoll, Citibank, NHS Orkney, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Future Sales Factory, James McVicar Printing Works, Standard Life Aberdeen Plc, Durham County Council, Forward Assist Veterans Charity, Newcastle City Council, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northumberland County Council, South Tyneside Council, Sovini, Defence Medical Welfare Service, Kent County Council, NHS Hastings and Rother CCG and NHS Eastbourne Hailsham and Seaford CCG, Portsmouth City Council, Royal Surrey county Hospital NHS Trust, SGN, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Swansea Council, University of South Wales, Landmarc Supoprt Services Ltd, SaluteMyJob, City of Wolverhampton Council, The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, ITI Network Services Ltd, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and WYG.
ERS Gold Awards 2018 at Lancaster House.
The Employer Recognition Scheme encompasses three award tiers: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Gold Award winning employers have to first make pledges under the Armed Forces Covenant, then demonstrate and advocate their support for the Armed Forces. So far, 130 employers have been recognised with a Gold award.
