Silver awards for supportive employers

Highland and Lowland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations were at Edinburgh Castle’s Great Hall last night for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Awards dinner. 

The 10 November event recognises the commitment of employers who demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the Armed Forces community.

The awards were announced by the Chief Executive of Highland RFCA, Brigadier Mark Dodson, and presented by General Sir Gordon Messenger, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.

Brigadier Dodson said: “The success of our armed forces in delivering defence capability is entirely reliant on their relationship with the society from which they are drawn. Key to this relationship is the role played by employers, who not only support members of the volunteer reserve forces but the whole armed forces family, whether veterans, spouses and partners, or the adult volunteers so crucial to the viability and vitality of our service cadet organisations. All of the 25 recipient companies or organisations recognised tonight have demonstrated that they are actively supporting the wide spectrum of the armed forces community in many ways.”

Following the awards, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff addressed the audience on behalf of The Secretary of State for Defence.

As part of the evening the audience also heard from a Reservist from 205 Field Hospital who explained how she has benefited from Reserve service. Lt Col Andrew Muddiman, the commanding officer of the Royal Marine Reserve in Scotland, also spoke giving his perspective on the value that Reservists bring to his unit. Lastly, Jill Young, Chief Executive of The Golden Jubilee Foundation, highlighted the employer perspective.

Thanks from both Highland and Lowland RFCAs go to Maj Gen Mike Riddle-Webster, the Governor of Edinburgh Castle, for allowing the awards to be held in the impressive surroundings of the Great Hall.

Thanks also to The Band of The Royal Marines, Willie McIntyre from George Heriots School and Lothian & Borders ACF Battalion for providing the cadet pipers Paul Christie and Bruce Gardner. Also to 154 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, and 603 Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, for helping with logistics.

Recipients of the award in the Highland RFCA-area were: Abertay University, East Dunbartonshire Council, Goucher Consulting Ltd, Highland Spring Ltd, Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd, Kingspark School, Moray Chamber of Commerce, Moray Council, Orkney Islands Council, SCORE Group plc, Robert Gordon’s College, Shetland Islands Council, University of Aberdeen, Western Isles Council, Woodmill High School.