38 London Employers strike Silver in 2020 regional Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Awards

A RECORD number of London’s employers have been honoured by the Ministry of Defence with top awards in this year’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

These awards recognise the outstanding support for our armed forces from employers across London. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme acknowledges those organisations which actively demonstrate support to the armed forces community.

8 organisations from Greater London submitted applications for a Gold Award under the scheme – which means they aim to deliver the highest level of support to the military both as an employer and service provider by proactively demonstrating their forces-friendly credentials as part of their recruiting processes, actively ensuring that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards defence people issues and advocating support to partner organisations, suppliers and customers. All 8 from Greater London were successful, as well as 127 being awarded nationally. Please find a full list of those companies here.

A further 38 applied for a prestigious Silver Award. To gain this Award companies must have shown that they proactively demonstrated that service personnel and the wider armed forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged during recruiting and selection processes, actively ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards defence people issues and demonstrated support to mobilisations or have a framework in place by providing at least 5 days’ additional special leave. Every one of the 38 was successful, a list of which can be found below.

In addition, Royal Free London NHS, Saab UK Ltd, and The Warrior Programme have been recognised and revalidated as Silver ERS Award holders.

The nominations were considered by a selection board at national level for gold and at a regional level for silver. This year’s London Employer Engagement Board went virtual, and through video conferencing technology, each nomination was considered at length against the award criteria. The board would like to acknowledge all those who applied, and thank them for their continued support to the armed forces community.

Johnny Mercer, Minister for Defence People and Veterans said:

The breadth and diversity of the winners this year shows how business support for the Armed Forces continues to grow no matter the sector, company size or location. I am grateful for the positive attitude and flexible policies these organisations have adopted towards the defence community, which is testament to the fantastic contribution our serving personnel, veterans and their families can make to any organisation.

I am delighted that so many companies are supporting our people and that, through this scheme, we can give them the public recognition they deserve.