2025 Silver Awards presented

Employers from the Highland RFCA area gathered at The Black Watch Castle and Museum in Perth on 26 June to receive Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Awards.

The reception and presentations, hosted by Highland RFCA on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, formally recognised the support the 18 organisations give to the Armed Forces community.

On the night, 17 organisations were on hand to collect their Silver Award for 2025 from Naval Regional Commander Scotland & Northern Ireland, Brigadier Andy Muddiman. The winners are pictured above with Brigadier Muddiman (bottom, right) and Highland RFCA Chief Executive Brigadier (Retired) Mark Dodson (bottom, left).

The Silver Award recipients were:

• Altrad Integrity Services Limited
• Clackmannanshire Council
• Copernicus Technology Ltd
• Corporate Energy & Renewables Ltd
• EASTON’S Training Limited
• OnFife
• Flotation Energy Ltd
• Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort
• Golden Friendships
• GSL Associates (Scotland) Ltd
• Journeycall
• Knights Templar Goodwill Charity of Scotland
• Mitchell & Murdoch Care Ltd
• Port of Aberdeen
• Raeburn Training
• Robertson Group
• Shearwater Marine Services Ltd
• Well-Safe Solutions Limited

Among the other military representatives were Lieutenant Commander Alison Devine, Executive Officer at HMS Scotia, Major James Kelly, Chief of Staff Royal Marines Reserve Scotland, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Onslow, Engagement Coordinator at 51 Infantry Brigade & HQ Scotland, and Group Captain Andy Tait of the Royal Air Force. Also in attendance was Perth and Kinross Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Chris Ahern.

The evening began with employers and their guests being piped into the venue by four pipers from Glenalmond College Combined Cadet Force, before being welcomed by Brigadier (Retired) Dodson.

An opportunity for networking followed before guests were invited outside to enjoy an outstanding musical performance from the pipers.

Prior to the presentions, Brigadier Muddiman said: “We are here this evening to give recognition to employers as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. You may be interested to know that the number of companies joining the Scheme is rising rapidly – the milestone 13,000th Armed Forces Covenant was signed at the end of 2024 and the number continues to rise. There are over 1,600 Silver Award holders nationally. We hope that now you too have reached the Silver standard you will go on to become advocates to other businesses and organisations on behalf of the Defence family and thereby qualify to be considered for the Gold level Award.

“On behalf of Defence, I thank you for your commitment.”

◼︎ 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.

Representatives from Journeycall were unable to attend the ceremony. Their achievement will be recognised with a presentation of their Silver Award at a later date.

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