September 27, 2022
/
Highland RFCA’s Highland Gold Network (HGN) met earlier this month to share best practice in advocacy and support for the Armed Forces.
Network Chair Malcolm Norman, of Wood PLC, hosted the meeting which took place at Scion House in Stirling.
After hearing from new members about their businesses, their respective journeys to receiving the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award, NHS Golden Jubilee spoke about the ERS Award revalidation process.
A breakout session followed with advocacy from inside and outside each organisation being discussed.
Following lunch network members heard from Mark Hinks, Chief of Staff at the London-based Defence Relationship Management organisation. He spoke about Gold Networks and their purpose and role within the Defence community. This was followed by an informative Q&A session.
From an initial 20 members, the HGN has now expanded to 28 members drawn from the Highland RFCA area of responsibility.
The 28 public and private sector employers have all achieved coveted ERS Gold status. Many of them had been part of the national Gold Alumni Association (GAA) based in London. However, as the GAA expanded, it was decided that each RFCA should have its own regional group to represent local interests as well as national ones, and thus the Scottish Gold Network was set up.
Image (top of page), from left: Danielle Barclay (HRFCA), Craig Wilson (Scottish Water), Christine McGuinness (NHS Golden Jubilee), Ray Watt (HRFCA), Ian Clark (IED Training Solutions Ltd), Roy McLellan (HRFCA), Eddie Simpson (Abertay University), Hayley Munro (HRFCA), Luke Hawke (Scottish Ambulance Service), Malcolm Norman (Wood PLC), and Gillian Gall (NHS Golden Jubilee).
