August 4, 2023
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Highland RFCA’s Highland Gold Network (HGN) met on 28 July to share best practice in advocacy and support for the Armed Forces.
The meeting was hosted by the Scottish Ambulance Service in Aberdeen. The organisation has been a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award holder since 2016.
The HGN is chaired by Stephen Massetti, Director of National Operations for the Scottish Ambulance Service. This was the first meeting he has hosted as Network Chair after taking over from Wood PLC’s Chief Information Security Officer Malcolm Norman. Mr Norman stepped down from the role in March.
The guest speaker was Damian Doran-Timson from Poppyscotland. He explained how his organisation provides support for current and former members of the Armed Forces and their families.
Items covered during the meeting included feedback on the Gold Award Alumni (GAA) meeting; responses to a survey; new Gold Award announcements and timelines.
Following the meeting attendees were given a presentation on the Scottish Ambulance Service and shown round the Bridge of Don base.
The other network attendees were:
- Scottish Ambulance Service – Luke Hawke and Michael Dickson
- Perth and Kinross Council – Chris Ahern
- Aberdeen City Council – Darren Buck
- Sport Aberdeen – Nickie Scorgie
- HRFCA – Regional Employer Engagement Directors Ray Watt and Roy McLellan, and Admin Officer Danielle Barclay
As well as being part of the HGN, Stephen Massetti is also an HRFCA Southern Area Committee member; Chris Ahern is an Eastern Area Committee member, and Nickie Scorgie is an Eastern Area Committee Associate Member.
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 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 Highland Gold Network was set up.
Image shows, from left: Luke Hawke (Scottish Ambulance Service); Ray Watt (Highland RFCA Regional Employer Engagement Director); Michael Dickson (Scottish Ambulance Service); Roy McLellan (Highland RFCA Regional Employer Engagement Director); Chris Ahern (Perth and Kinross Council); Damian Doran-Timson (Poppyscotland); Darren Buck (Aberdeen City Council); Danielle Barclay (Highland RFCA); Nickie Scorgie (Sport Aberdeen); and Stephen Massetti (Scottish Ambulance Service).
For more information on the Highland Gold Network, click HERE.
