Shropshire Council is awarded gold for supporting the Armed Forces

Shropshire Council has been announced as a new winner of the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Awards by The Ministry of Defence – the highest badge of honour for organisations which have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and demonstrated outstanding support for those who serve and have served. 

Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award

The ERS Gold Awards recognise employers who actively support the Armed Forces community in their workplace and also encourage others to follow their lead.

The award scheme, which attracts entries from companies in every part of the country and in the private and public sectors, has seen a rapid increase in participation since it launched in 2014.

Shropshire Council, which currently has a silver award, is one of 33 organisations across the country to be given this badge of honour in recognition of its work on the Armed Forces Covenant and its support for reservists.

Armed Forces Covenant

Sir Michael Fallon, Defence Secretary, said:

“These companies have shown the gold standard of commitment to supporting members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. They have taken meaningful steps to ensure the Defence community are not disadvantaged by the sacrifice they make in helping keep this country safe. The actions of these employers make it crystal clear that regardless of size, location, or sector, employing people with military skills is good for business.”

Peter Nutting, Shropshire Council’s Leader, said:

“As one of Shropshire’s largest employers, we have a duty to support regular and reserve units, and we’re pleased to have, once again, been recognised for our work.

“It’s testament to all of the excellent things being done as part of the Armed Forces Covenant and, in particular, the number of organisations which have joined the partnership – highlighted as a particular success in the judging process.

“We will continue to work hard to ensure that we lead the way and inspire others to support those who have selflessly served our country.”

Group Captain Rob Norris, Station Commander at RAF Shawbury, added:

“RAF Shawbury is delighted to be working so closely with Shropshire Council. This award represents the commitment and support from the Shropshire Covenant partnership, which has been led by Shropshire Council.

“To be effective, the Armed Forces Covenant requires commitment and co-operation from a wide range of organisations and I am delighted at the diversity of local Shropshire businesses who wish to support our Armed Forces.

“Their generosity and willingness to sign the Armed Forces Covenant is a testament to the growing support our Armed Forces are receiving and we hope this trend continues in the long term.”

Organisations wishing to learn more about supporting the Armed Forces can do so by contacting sean.mccarthy@shropshire.gov.uk or by clicking here.

Further information 

The 2017 Employer Recognition Scheme Gold award winners are:

• Airbus
• Balfour Beatty
• City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
• Combat Pest Control
• DHL
• DXC Technology
• ER Systems Global
• FDM
• Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce
• General Dynamics UK
• Hampshire Hospital
• Hull City Council
• NHS Golden Jubilee Foundation
• Inverclyde Council
• Kuehne & Nagel
• Laing O’Rourke
• Liverpool City Council
• Mabway Ltd
• ManpowerGroup UK
• Metropolitan Police Service
• Morson Group
• Network Rail
• North West Ambulance Service
• Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
• Shropshire Council
• Skanska UK Plc
• Sodexo UK & Ireland
• South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
• Transport for London
• West Midlands Fire Service
• Wiltshire Council
• Wolferstans Solicitors
• X-Forces

The Ministry of Defence also announced recently that following a stringent assessment, seven recipients of the 2014 Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards have retained their Gold status:

• BAE Systems
• Barclays
• BT
• Carillion
• Hewlett-Packard (HP)
• NHS Nottingham University Hospitals Trust
• NHS Scotland

The Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise between the nation, government and the Armed Forces to treat our serving personnel, veterans and their families with fairness and respect. Corporates, charities and local authorities can sign the Armed Forces Covenant and make their own promise to support the Forces in ways of their choosing.

The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS)

The ERS was launched in 2014 by the Prime Minister to recognise employer support for the wider principles of the Defence Armed Forces Covenant and the full spectrum of Defence personnel. This includes the Reserves, Service Leavers, Wounded Injured and Sick, Cadets, and spouses.

The scheme encompasses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant. The awards are valid for three years, when they are reviewed.

For a full list of Employer Recognition Scheme Gold, Silver and Bronze winners click here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme)