19 Scottish employers from the Lowlands have received the Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award from the Ministry of Defence for their outstanding support for the Armed Forces.
A total of 193 organisations from across the UK have been recognised this year, the tenth year of the awards scheme.
This year, organisations across a range of sectors including transportation, education, finance, and healthcare have been recognised in the awards. Of the Gold Award winners, 28% are either micro or small sized organisations, while 47% are large organisations with over 500 employees. This not only demonstrates the importance of the Covenant, but the skills and benefits that ex-service personnel can bring businesses.
Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, Dr Andrew Murrison said:
‘I would like to thank all the organisations that have been recognised in this year’s awards. I’m delighted that we have seen so many organisations recognised with a gold award. Their continued support demonstrates the unique benefits and strengths that our Armed Forces community can bring to the workplace.’
To win a Gold award from the Ministry of Defence, organisations must provide 10 extra paid days leave for reservists, and have supportive HR policies in place for reservists, veterans, Cadet Force adult volunteers and the spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.
They must also advocate the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community, by encouraging other organisations to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and engage with the Employer Recognition Scheme.
The recipients of this year’s Gold ERS award from the Lowland region are:
Based in Edinburgh, Animo et Fide Ltd. is a consultancy company with mental welfare and resilience at the heart of its services. Meaning ‘with courage and faith’ in Latin, Animo et Fide is owned and run by a Royal Air Force veteran.
Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce is made up of a small but dedicated team whose objective is to provide its membership with opportunities to grow and develop their business with a broad range of services.
Brodie Engineering offers a comprehensive range of refurbishment, maintenance, overhaul, engineering support, project management, and repair services to the UK rail and light rail sector. As a keen supporter of Defence people and skills they possess, Brodie Engineering’s Kilmarnock-based workforce includes a mix of Regulars, Reservists and family members of serving personnel.
Established in 1925, City Cabs is Edinburgh’s largest and longest running taxi service with a fleet of over 450 cars. The company offers a wide array of services including airport transfers, group and wedding bookings and long-distance travel.
East Lothian Council is one of the 32 local government councils in Scotland covering the East Lothian area. It is responsible for a number of services supporting the local community, ranging from bins and recycling to housing, health and social care, transport and library services.
For over 20 years, Elprosys UK Ltd. has been dedicated to providing specialist electronics and automation solutions services, becoming one of the UK’s leading producers of repair and diagnostics equipment for the automotive sector.
Heriot-Watt University is a public research university located in Edinburgh. It currently has five separate campuses and also offers distance learning programmes open to students from all over the world, with a strong focus on courses in STEM subjects.
Lochlie Construction Group is a construction services and project management company operating out of Hillington, Glasgow. It is a multi-trade contractor with experience in full housing construction, electrical and advising on what renewable energies are best suited to specific projects.
Scotland’s regional airline has been a friend of Defence for many years, actively recruiting members of the Armed Forces community and supporting them through the mobilisation process.
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Lothian Buses is a major bus operator based in Edinburgh and is the largest municipal bus company in the UK. The company has been in operation for over 100 years, and currently employs over 2500 staff who provide safe, easy transport options to over 120 million customers every year.
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Menzies Aviation is a critical partner in the global aviation industry, delivering time-critical logistics services at over 250 locations in more than 60 countries, across six continents. The teams are well accustomed to providing time critical services, resolving issues under pressure and adhering to safety procedures at all times.
Mister Singh’s India Restaurant
Four generations of the Singh family have made it their mission to establish themselves as masters of Indian cuisine within Glasgow, boasting a well renowned restaurant in the city’s West End. By regularly hosting business lunches with local employers and organisations, Mister Singh’s has expanded the Lowland network of Armed Forces covenant signatories.
With around 38,000 employees, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde is not only the largest employer in Scotland, but also the largest Health Board in the United Kingdom. At present, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde employs around 40 Armed Forces Reservists, valuing their wide arrays of skills and resilience.
Officers’ Association Scotland
Officers’ Association Scotland is an Edinburgh-based non-profit that supports commissioned officers from all branches of the Armed Forces. The primary resources available to service personnel and their families through this organisation focus on employment and financial support during the transition process from military to civilian life.
RB Safety Consultants Ltd is a Glasgow-based consultancy specialising in engineering, safety and risk management services for clients in sectors including Energy, Infrastructure and Defence.
Scotia Surface Hardening Company Ltd. is a family-owned nitriding specialist that began its ERS journey in 2018. Since then, the company has gone on to facilitate Defence events such as Armed Forces Covenant talks delivered by Lowland RFCA.
Scottish Fire & Rescue Service
The Scottish Fire & Rescue service is the world’s fourth largest fire and rescue service, with a strong military presence among its crews. This organisation is committed to ensuring the safety of people and properties throughout Scotland.
St Andrews Timber & Building Supplies (EAST)
St Andrews Timber & Building Supplies (EAST) Ltd. provides timber and construction materials to individual and business clients all across the Lowlands of Scotland.
Wilson Auto Repairs is an automotive garage located in Stranraer, capable of carrying out repairs, maintenance and MOTs for multiple vehicle categories.
