May 9, 2023
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Twenty-nine companies in the Highland RFCA-area have been awarded the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver award for 2023.
The award from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is in recognition of the support the organisations give to the Armed Forces community.
The 2023 winners in the HRFCA-area are:
- 20/20 Business Insight Limited
- Andron Facilities Management
- BEAR Scotland
- BRAVEHOUND
- Central Fife Sheds Ltd
- Dundee Football Club
- EC Aluminium Ltd
- Eclipse (IP) Ltd
- Falkirk Football Community Foundation
- Forth Valley College
- G.H.Q. Spirits
- Glenhead Engineering Ltd
- Gray & Adams Ltd
- Home Instead East Fife
- HorseBack UK
- International SOS Medical Services UK
- Lochaber Chamber of Commerce
- Lochgilphead Medical Centre
- Munro and Noble Solicitors and Estate Agents
- NHS Western Isles
- Progressive Pathways Ltd
- Royal Dornoch Golf Club
- Serica Energy
- Stirling Highland Games
- Stroven Ltd
- The Dundee Gin Company Ltd
- The UKSI Limited
- TSG UK Solutions Limited
- Wings For Warriors
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme recognises those who demonstrate or advocate support to the Armed Forces community and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant – a pledge from the nation that those who serve or who have served and their families are treated fairly.
Silver winners must meet certain criteria, including: employing at least one individual from the Armed Forces community, actively ensuring that their workforce is aware of their positive policies, demonstrating support to mobilisations of Reservists and providing at least five days’ additional leave for training.
A ceremony will be held at The Black Watch Museum in Perth on June 22 to present the winners with their awards. Hear from some of the winners, below.
Tom Vincent, CEO of 20/20 Business Insight Limited, said: “We are delighted to receive a Silver award. With a number of our staff having served in the Armed Forces, we can fully appreciate the skills and behaviours the military community offers.”
Hannah Richmond, Senior HR Advisor at Andron Facilities Management, said: “We are proud and honoured to receive Silver. This means a great deal to Andron and serves as testament to our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community. We are grateful for the opportunity to give back to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”
Mark Godsell, Commercial Director at BEAR Scotland Limited, said: “We are honoured to achieve Silver. We are a values-based organisation, and we are proud to support the Armed Forces in any way we can.”
Fiona MacDonald, CEO at BRAVEHOUND, said: “Attaining Silver demonstrates our commitment to supporting and promoting the employment of veterans. They bring an incredible wealth of experience and talent, and are an asset to any organisation.”
Jason Izatt, Managing Director at Central Fife Sheds, said: “The Silver is a suitable recognition for a small company doing its best to be supportive across the Armed Forces. It also makes us stand out as a company with an inclusive ethos and boosts the morale of our workforce.”
Stephanie Davidson, Operations Director at EC Aluminium Ltd, said: “This company was founded by a veteran, built by a group of committed and skilled veterans and will continue to value the skills and qualities provided by military personnel looking to transition into a civilian career.”
Derek Allison, CEO of Falkirk Football Community Foundation, said: “The Foundation is there to support our community and to allow those that we engage with the opportunity to live healthier, happier, and more prosperous lives. Those that have served or are serving in the Armed Forces are very much part of our community and we value their commitment and service and want to provide these opportunities for them and their families.”
Alistair McKean, Training & Business Development Manager at Forth Valley College, said: “Forth Valley College is very proud to have received Silver. This recognises the support for veterans within our organisation and the wider Armed Forces community within the Forth Valley area.”
James McNeill, Owner and Director at G.H.Q. Spirits, said: “On both a personal level and business level we are incredibly proud to be awarded Silver.”
Sharon Colvan, Operations Manager at Glenhead Engineering, said: “We always strive to assist our local and wider community and give back to those who have helped others. Achieving Silver allows us to continue to strengthen our relationships with the Armed Forces and gain new members of staff.”
Ian Smith, Group Engineering Manager at Gray & Adams Ltd, said: “With this award comes the pride of supporting our Armed Forces, from cadets through to veterans. It is a great accolade for our people and our customers, and importantly it demonstrates that we are here to support the Armed Forces Community in their careers and life beyond their service.”
Euan Lafferty, Owner and Director at Home Instead East Fife, said: “It is incredible to win this award and be recognised for the support we give to the Armed Forces community.”
Emma Hutchison, CEO at HorseBack UK, said: “Being awarded the Silver continues to help us build our reputation as a forces-friendly employer.”
Juliette Johnstone, People Partner at International SOS (Medical Services) UK Limited, said: “SOS is delighted to be recognised by the UK Government by achieving a Silver award. We are proud to support the Armed Forces community and hope to inspire others to do the same.”
Mark Gibbings, Commercial Manager at Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s an honour to have been recognised with this award. Lochaber Chamber is dedicated to supporting the Armed Forces community and this is wonderful recognition for our organisation, Lochaber businesses, and a testament to our continued support.”
Dr Andy Barlow, GP Partner at Lochgilphead Medical Centre, said: “Being awarded Silver highlights the support we offer to our military and veteran community in a rural and geographically remote location.”
Mary Nimmo, Senior Partner at Munro and Noble Solicitors, said: “We are delighted to be the recipients of the Silver award. This will be proudly displayed in our office, and we will continue to support and show gratitude to military personnel in our area and further afield.”
Lachlan MacPherson, Hospitals Manager at NHS Western Isles, said: “We are proud to have been awarded Silver. Achieving this provides recognition of our position as a veteran/Reservist-friendly employer, and confirms our support for Armed Forces staff and their families.”
Laura Marie Flannagan, Director at Progressive Pathways Limited, said: “Achieving Silver means so much to us as an organisation, and to us as individuals. It cements our commitment to the Armed Forces community and is one of our proudest achievements to date.”
Neil Hampton, General Manager at Royal Dornoch Golf Club, said: “Achieving this award indicate the club’s desire and commitment to support our Armed Forces personnel, and that we are fully engaged with helping them as they have helped us.”
Karen Clarkin, EA to the CEO at Serica Energy, said: “Since being awarded ERS Bronze, Serica Energy’s Armed Forces Support Group have been seeking out opportunities and driving initiatives to demonstrate our commitment to our military colleagues, their families and friends. To achieve Silver shows Serica Energy as an employer of choice to a wider audience. We believe we can be instrumental in widening support further within our industry.”
Matt McGrandles, President at Stirling Highland Games, said: “After achieving Silver, we welcome the opportunity to build on our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces. We look forward to seeing where this partnership takes us.”
Steven Rowe, CEO at Stroven Ltd, said: “Achieving Silver is a big deal for Stroven. We’re demonstrating that even start-ups are able to support the Armed Forces community in a big way. From employing within the military community to providing mental health and well-being support to serving members, supporting our Armed Forces is at the heart of our company and this award feels like a pat on the back.”
David Bruce, Managing Director at The Dundee Gin Company, said: “Achieving Silver means a great deal to us and especially the owner of our company who has strong ties to the military. It is an honour to receive the award and we will continue to do what we can as a small company to support our Armed Forces.”
Martin MacInnes, HR Advisor at TSG UK Solutions Ltd, said: “We are very proud to receive Silver and are committed to continuously supporting those who serve King and country.”
Charlie Marshall, General Manager at Wings For Warriors, said: “Achieving Silver is very welcome recognition for the decade of work the charity has done in taking on disabled veterans and training them for long-term careers in civil aviation. It is also tribute to those veterans who have worked long and hard to gain the qualifications which have resulted in them and their families looking forward to many years in a challenging and rewarding second career.”
