Nineteen organisations from across the Lowlands of Scotland have been named as Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award winners, in acknowledgement of their outstanding support for the Armed Forces Community.
The ERS Silver Award is the second-highest badge of honour that the Ministry of Defence awards to organisations which employ and support Reservists, service leavers, veterans and their families.
Each Silver Award winner begins its ERS journey by signing the Armed Forces Covenant, a commitment to supporting Defence through various services, HR policies and projects. This initial commitment entitles the signatory organisation to receive its ERS Bronze Award and begin working towards Silver and Gold.
The employers recognised by the ERS Silver Award have gone above and beyond in their efforts to support the Defence Community through initiatives such as employing veterans, supporting individuals transitioning out of the Armed Forces into a new career, and providing additional paid leave for Reservists to ensure they meet their annual training targets.
In total, 331 organisations of all sizes and sectors throughout the UK have qualified for the ERS 2026 Silver Award.
Major General Marc Overton, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (MSHQ-ACDS RFC), said:
‘Congratulations to all organisations receiving the ERS Silver Award this year. These employers are making a meaningful contribution to Defence by supporting those who serve, while recognising the enormous value that Reservists, veterans and military families bring to the workforce.
‘As a Reservist myself, I know how important employer support is. The flexibility, understanding and advocacy shown by organisations across the UK enables our people to balance civilian careers with service commitments, strengthening both Defence and society as a whole.
‘In today’s increasingly uncertain global environment, strong partnerships between Defence and employers are more important than ever. The commitment shown by this year’s Silver Award holders helps ensure the UK maintains resilient, capable and adaptable Armed Forces for the future.’
The following Lowland organisations will be presented with their ERS Silver Awards at a special ceremony later this year:
Albert Bartlett & Sons Ltd
Based in Airdrie, Albert Bartlett & Sons Ltd has been a family-owned business since 1948, and is proud to be the UK’s leading supplier of potatoes, working with farmers from across Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Jersey to deliver quality food products to its customers.
Aston Stone Limited
Aston Stone is a Glasgow-based consultancy dedicated to helping clients modernise their IT systems, keep their data secure and deliver complex projects with complete confidence.
BrightPath HR Limited
BrightPath HR is a firm that is committed to fostering strong working relationships with its clients as part of its approach in delivering tailored HR, Recruitment and Employee Benefits solutions across a broad range of sectors.
Chemring Energetics UK Ltd
Operating out of Stevenston, North Ayrshire, Chemring Energetics designs, manufactures, tests and supplies a wide range of products for the Defence, security and commercial sectors.
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is the independent public prosecution service and death investigation authority for Scotland, and is a Ministerial Department of the Scottish Government.
Dawn Insurance Services Brokers Limited
With over twenty years of industry experience, Dawn Insurance Service Brokers’ team understands that their clients’ insurance needs are all unique and so work to offer bespoke, comprehensive cover packages that are just right for them.
East Kilbride & District Engineering Group Training Association
East Kilbride & District Engineering Group Training Association (EKGTA) is a specialist engineering training provider delivering apprenticeships, training and staff development solutions for employers throughout Scotland, bringing together hands-on workshop practice and academic learning to ensure engineering trainees and apprentices are fully equipped for any task.
Enjoy East Ren
Enjoy East Ren is a non-profit organisation offering various activities to support health, happiness and wellbeing in its local community, including fitness classes, theatrical performances and library facilities.
Forces Children Scotland
Forces Children Scotland is an Edinburgh-based charity that supports children from Armed Forces families, whether they are Regular, Reserve or veteran, helping them to gain valuable skills and knowledge for their futures and nurture their overall wellbeing.
GAP Group Limited
GAP Group was established in 1969 and is the UK’s largest independent hire company, headquartered in Glasgow and operating across 200 locations nationwide. Its hire service covers a broad spectrum of equipment suited to any and all customer needs, such as construction tools, waste disposal, power generation, fencing and barriers, and much more.
Malin Group Limited
Malin Group traces its company origins back to the late nineteenth century and the City of Glasgow’s famous shipbuilding industry. Despite many changes and expansions over the last century, the organisation’s heart remains firmly on the River Clyde, where it is dedicated to innovating shipbuilding and renewable industries alongside providing valuable support and services to the wider Scottish marine industry.
Mast Architects Limited
Mast Architects has been in practice for almost fifty years, and takes great pride in its legacy of delivering high-quality architectural services to clients ranging from local councils and housing associations to veterans’ charities.
Morris & Spottiswood Limited
Glasgow-based Morris & Spottiswood specialises in providing fitout, refurbishment, construction, housing and bespoke joinery services for projects and customers across multiple sectors, including healthcare, finance, leisure and education.
NHS 24
NHS 24 is one of Scotland’s seven special health boards, and serves as the national telehealth provider, running a telephone and online advice service to help patients assess symptoms or injuries and take the next steps that best suit their needs.
RCA Trust
RCA Trust is a non-profit based in Paisley that has been supporting people struggling with alcohol, drug and gambling addictions since 1977. The Trust offers various support services to the Renfrewshire community, including courses, group workshops, advice and counselling.
SABIO Limited
SABIO Limited is proud to stand at the forefront of AI-powered customer care technology, driving exceptional customer service experiences in a cost-effective manner and boosting staff wellbeing through streamlined workflows.
St Andrew’s Sporting Club
St Andrew’s Sporting Club is hailed as the ‘Home of Scottish Boxing’, and has played host to many of the country’s greatest boxers of the last fifty years. The Club brings together professional boxing, celebrity appearances and unique networking events all under one roof.
Sweeney Group Ltd
Sweeney Group is a property development and investment firm located in Motherwell, Lanarkshire. With over half a century of industry experience and knowledge, the firm boasts a broad investor network including high net worth individuals, family offices and organisations looking for better return on their investments.
Together Leading Communities
Together Leading Communities was founded by Margaret Fraser, a veteran of the housing and communities sectors with over three decades of expertise and a passion for bringing individuals and organisations together to build strong and flourishing local community environments.
To read the official Ministry of Defence press release, click here.
