18 Employers from across the Lowlands of Scotland have been recognised with the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award for their outstanding commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.
- The ERS Gold Award recognises employers demonstrating exceptional and sustained support for the Armed Forces community.
- Organisations from a wide range of sectors are acknowledged for championing Reservists, veterans, military families and the Cadet movement.
- Awards reinforce the vital role employers play in strengthening the UK’s resilience, skills and national security.
Gold Award holders play an important role in encouraging other organisations to strengthen their support for the Armed Forces community, helping to build a more inclusive workforce while supporting Defence’s people agenda and strengthening the nation’s resilience.
To achieve Gold Award status, employers must demonstrate that they:
- Provide at least 10 days’ additional paid leave for Reservists each year
- Have supportive HR policies for Reservists, service families, veterans and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers
- Actively promote the Armed Forces Covenant and encourage others to support defence
- Demonstrate long-term, proactive commitment that exceeds the scheme’s baseline requirements
The recipients of this year’s Gold ERS award from the Lowland region are:
ACS Clothing
Established in 1997, Motherwell-based ACS Clothing provides an advanced and sustainable clothing solution for retail and rental partners across the UK and Europe, giving a new lease of life to pre-loved, returned and damaged clothing.
Argon Engineering
Argon Engineering is an Airdrie-based mechanical engineering company offering a broad spectrum of services to clients from across an extensive array of industries, such as water treatment, quarrying, chemical, food, and railway construction.
Blairs Windows & Doors
With over a century’s worth of industry experience, Blairs Windows & Doors takes great pride in its status as a leading supplier of timber, aluminium and PVCu windows and doors across the United Kingdom.
DRVN Auto
DRVN is a sector-leading automotive group that specialises in the design, production and sale of luxury vehicle brands.
Focus Energy Services
Focus Energy Services is an Edinburgh-based energy broker that is committed to ensuring its clients understand more about their energy levels, usages and procurement strategies, favouring a more engagement-based strategy than the sales-based structure used by other brokers.
The Glasgow Pram Centre
The Glasgow Pram Centre understands that expecting parents have a lot to think about before their baby arrives, and so provides a one-stop shop of all the necessary supplies, ranging from prams, cots and car seats to toys, nursery furniture and clothes.
The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland was founded in 1736 and is the governing body of Scottish Freemasonry, with its Headquarters located in Edinburgh. It is believed that Freemasonry originated from the stonemason trade guilds of the Middle Ages, although today the organisation focuses primarily on moral and spiritual values.
ICW Consultants
ICW Consultants is a Glasgow-based organisation made up of specialist advisors dedicated to providing accounting and business improvement solutions to small companies throughout the West Coast, Central Belt and East Coast of Scotland.
Indigo E-Commerce
Indigo E-Commerce Digital Ltd is committed to forming lasting professional relationships with its client base through the provision of comprehensive, user-friendly telecommunications services, as well as friendly customer support and impartial advice.
Insite Group Holdings
Established in 2004, Insite Group Holdings is a Glasgow-based construction company delivering end-to-end contracting services with a view to meeting any and all needs that their clients’ may have.
JR Scaffolding
JR Scaffold Services is a Paisley-based scaffolding supplier catering to residential and commercial customers for a range of projects across the Lowlands of Scotland.
McDermott Group
The McDermott Group operates across numerous sectors that include energy, construction, technology, automotive, transport and defence. Its businesses rely on innovative digital technology and close collaboration with partners to design, deliver, and operate high-quality, cost-effective assets.
McGills Buses
McGill’s is the largest independent and second largest overall bus company operating in Scotland, operating a network of routes covering much of the council areas of Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, North Lanarkshire, Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, West Lothian, Falkirk and Dundee City.
Norsk Tactical
Drawing on specialist knowledge from professionals in industries such as the Armed Forces, NHS, police and Specialist Security sector, Norse Tactical Ltd offers a broad spectrum of professional security services, including consultancy, CCTV and staffing solutions for clients ranging from individual to Government level.
ON Facilities Management
On Facilities Management works across Glasgow, Edinburgh and Central Scotland, covering a wide range of fire safety, decorative and maintenance service to hospitality and other commercial venues.
Prime Secure Capital
Prime Secure Capital Ltd is a Glasgow-based private security company that brings together technical expertise and market-leading technology to provide first-class security solutions to clients across a range of industries, including retail, construction and property management.
Royal British Legion Scotland
For over a century Royal British Legion Scotland has worked tirelessly to support Armed Forces veterans and their families by offering advice on a number of subjects, and by building communities through volunteering and befriending schemes.
Scottish Borders Council
Scottish Borders Council is responsible for providing information and services to residents, businesses and visitors throughout the Scottish Borders, such as financial support options, upcoming events and social care programmes.
162 employers have received the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award across the UK, the Ministry of Defence’s highest recognition for organisations that demonstrate outstanding support for the armed forces community.
Now in its twelfth year, the ERS Gold Award continues to celebrate employers that go beyond their Armed Forces Covenant commitments by embedding forces-friendly policies, advocating for defence and creating inclusive workplaces where veterans, Reservists, military families and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers can thrive.
This year’s recipients represent organisations of every size and from a broad range of industries, including finance, manufacturing, healthcare, education, construction, transport, professional services, retail, emergency services and local government. Together, they demonstrate the growing commitment of UK employers to recognising the skills, experience and values that members of the Armed Forces community bring to the workplace.
Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin Bailey MBE MP said:
“For a veteran starting a new chapter, or a Reservist balancing two demanding roles, having an employer in your corner makes an enormous difference.
“These 162 organisations have gone out of their way to make veterans, Reservists and military families feel genuinely welcome and supported. I’m incredibly proud to recognise them today, and I hope their example inspires many more.”
The Scottish ERS Gold Awards will be held on the 15th October 2026 in Edinburgh Castle; where these employers will officially receive their award and see their hard work recognised.
