Top award recognises commitment to Armed Forces

We are delighted to have received the top gold award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

The award scheme recognises organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

“Receiving the Gold Award is a tremendous honour and a reflection of our deep-rooted commitment to the Armed Forces and cadet community,” said Social Value and FAIR Co Ordinator, Jops Hill.

“It not only recognises our policies, but also the culture we’ve built; one that values service, supports transition, and celebrates the unique strengths of those connected to the Armed Forces.”

The award follows last year’s re-signing of our Armed Forces Covenant, which reaffirmed our commitment to being a Forces-friendly employer and a fair, respectful and inclusive company.

We continue to champion the covenant across our sector, encouraging our supply chain and partners to sign up and progress through the ERS. We lead by example, offering enhanced paid leave for reservists and cadet instructors, maintaining open communication with line managers, and ensuring flexibility around training and deployment.

Our support extends to the cadet movement through sponsorship, volunteering and mentoring opportunities, helping young people develop skills and confidence for the future. We actively work with the Career Transition Partnership and Forces Families Jobs to welcome former service personnel and their families into our workforce, recognising that they offer a range of transferable skills that can make an important contribution to our business.

Internally, we’ve cultivated a supportive and inclusive culture through our Armed Forces Network. This group of employees plays a vital role in offering peer support, raising awareness, and driving meaningful engagement across the organisation.