Employer Recognition Scheme

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In 2014, the Prime Minister launched the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. The Employer Recognition Scheme recognises organisations who pledge, demonstrate and advocate their support for the Defence community. There are three tiers of award – Bronze, Silver and Gold – for employers who advocate support to the Armed Forces Community in alignment with the Armed Forces Covenant.

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Picture by Gareth Jones
Bronze Award
  • Bronze Award holders are self nominated by employers who pledge their intention to support Defence, and take a positive stance towards Reservists who are either existing or prospective employees.
  • Bronze Award holders seek to promote an Armed Forces friendly position, and are open to employing Reservists and supporting their training and mobilisation commitments. asdasd asd
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Picture by Gareth Jones
Silver Award
  • Silver Awards holders demonstrate support for Defence, employing at least one Reservist, actively communicating and upholding a positive stance to their employees via established HR policies and procedures.
  • Silver Award holders support Reservists by showing flexibility to plan for and allow them to fulfil their annual training and mobilisation commitments.

Silver award submission process

To assist with the submission process, view our Defence ERS scheme Silver Award advice and guidance booklet below.

Download the Guide
Picture by Gareth Jones
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Picture by Gareth Jones
Gold Award
  • Gold Award holders proactively advocate and support Defence, communicating their commitment both internally to employees and externally to the wider community, through established policies and examples of support.
  • Gold Award holders demonstrate significant support for Reservists, enabling them to fulfil their annual training and mobilisation commitments.
Picture by Gareth Jones

Gold Award Winners

Gary Doyle

Group Harbour Master – Peel Ports Group

The Gold Award status brings many benefits; meet Gary Doyle from Peel Ports Group, the second largest port group in the UK. Each year, they safely handle over 70 million tonnes of cargo from across the globe.

A committed supporter of Defence, Gary explains how they have developed HR Policies for their internal Armed Forces community and actively support reservists, cadets and veteran associations.

Professor Brian J Webster-Henderson

Deputy Vice Chancellor – University of Cumbria

The Gold Award status brings many benefits; meet Professor Brian J Webster-Henderson from the University of Cumbria, the university has a long and prestigious history of delivering first class education in and around Cumbria.

Brian explains how they have made significant changes to HR policies and how they have also enabled service leavers to utilise ELCAs credits to support and improve career opportunities as first responders and paramedics.

Kevin Longshaw

Area Manager – Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service

The Gold Award status brings many benefits; meet Kevin Longshore from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, a blue light organisation that directly supports the safety and public protection for Merseyside. They have been an advocate for the covenant for over a decade and also employ over a 100 veterans.

Kevin explains what being a Gold Award holder means to them and how they have made significant changes to HR policies, implemented a Armed Forces Network an increased their number of reservists and veterans.

Tracey Webster

CEO – Pinnacle Risk Consultancy

The Gold Award status brings many benefits; meet Tracy Webster from Pinnacle Risk Consultancy, a global high end specialist security provider. Tracy is a military veteran herself and they employ a large percentage of veterans who are highly valued due to their skill set, disciplined background and work ethic.

Tracy explains how they have developed HR Policies and how they advocate the work of the Armed Forces Covenant through their supply chain.

Andy Lax

Recruitment Manager – OCU Group

The Gold Award status brings many benefits; meet Andy Lax from the OCU Group, a leading energy and utilities company.

Andy explains what being a Gold Award holder means to him and the organisation. They work with local cadet forces and have adapted policies to support reservists.

Simon Higgens

Business Development Manager – Story Contracting Limited

The Gold Award status brings many benefits; meet Simon Higgens from Story Contracting Ltd, an award winning infrastructure company which employs over 40 ex-service personnel.

Simon explains what being a Gold Award holder means to them and how they have made significant progress in the recruiting of veterans and service leavers. They have been and remain committed to using all recognised platforms to promote the virtues of recruitment of service leavers, reservists and cadet force adult volunteers.