During a rare show of calm Scottish weather, Lowland RFCA had the immense pleasure of co-ordinating the presentation of an Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award presentation at a very special venue on Tuesday 28 April.
Back in mid-March, Forth Ports Limited began its journey as an official Forces-friendly employer by signing the Armed Forces Covenant in front of fellow guests during a visit aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth in Rosyth. The Covenant was co-signed by Lieutenant Commander Chris Hawkins on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
Having sealed its pledges aboard one ship, it was therefore only right that the next step of Forth Ports’ ERS journey should also take place on the water.
As luck would have it, Leith Docks, home to both Forth Ports and the Royal Yacht Britannia, have been hosting two traditionally rigged tall ships that are embarked on a particularly special expedition.
The tall ships Spirit of Falmouth and Pellew, supported by veterans’ sailing charity Turn to Starboard and in partnership with the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, are currently on a 2,000-nautical-mile voyage titled Full Circle, circumnavigating the United Kingdom with the Invictus Games’ flag and a Ship’s Company including over 70 serving and former Armed Forces personnel.
With the two ships calling in right on Forth Ports’ doorstep, the choice of venue in which to present the organisation with its ERS Bronze Award was a no-brainer.
Thanks to the efforts of Lowland RFCA’s Defence Relationship Manager Duncan Evans, representatives from the company were welcomed aboard by the crew and veterans for a coffee and a chat, before receiving the Bronze Award from Commander Mark Fitzsimmons, Chief of Staff to Naval Regional Commander Brigadier Andy Muddiman.
‘Having only taken up this role within the past few weeks, I’m delighted to have the superb opportunity of presenting this award on behalf of Brigadier Muddiman to Forth Ports,’ Commander Fitzsimmons said from the bow of Pellew.
‘Everything that the staff have told me this morning has already assured me that the support this organisation provides to the Royal Navy and the wider Armed Forces is nothing short of exceptional, and that this award is very well-deserved.’
Lowland RFCA would like to thank the Ship’s Company of Pellew and Turn to Starboard for their wonderful hospitality, and for helping to deliver a highly memorable event.
