LQ20: Lowland Quarterly Issue 20

01.08.2025

Chief Executive’s Welcome

Welcome to another edition of LQ! Wherever you are, I hope you are enjoying some downtime this summer in order to relax, refresh and re-energise for the months to come. Meanwhile, our Lowland Reservists and Cadets are busy preparing for, deploying to, training at or recovering from their various Annual Camps.

The Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June, contained much welcome news for UK Defence. But while there is vision for the Reserves and Cadets, there is no sign of any resource at this stage:

‘We anticipate it will become necessary to increase the UK’s Active Reserve Forces by at least 20% when funding allows, most likely in the 2030s.’

‘Expand in-school and community-based Cadet Forces across the country by 30% by 2030, with an ambition to reach 250,000 in the longer term.’

We were pleased to see, though, that ‘The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations will be a valuable organisation in delivering this engagement.’ In Lowland RFCA, we know that we make our own luck and we know that our sole purpose is to promote and support our Reservists and Cadets. We will therefore continue to do all that we can to keep them flourishing. Our Association and our business network play a tremendous part in all this so thank you all for your support!

Enjoy the summer!

ERS 2025 Winners Announced

The winners for this year’s Gold and Silver Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Awards have now been revealed.

Twenty-four organisations from across the Lowlands of Scotland were announced as winners of the Silver ERS Award on Monday 2 June, followed by seventeen Gold ERS Award winners on Monday 21st July.

These prestigious Defence awards recognise those organisations that have gone above and beyond in their support for current and former members of the Armed Forces Community, whether through fair employment opportunities or provision of services such as healthcare, housing and financial support.

Speaking about this year’s Golds, Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns DSO OBE MC MP, said:

‘Employers are crucial partners in protecting our security and boosting the economy. By backing veterans, Reservists, military families, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and the Cadet movement, these organisations build resilient communities and the innovation Defence needs. I congratulate them and thank them for their outstanding commitment.’

We at Lowland RFCA would once again like to congratulate all of our Silver and Gold winners on an outstanding achievement, and we look forward to celebrating with them later this year.

Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards: Renfrewshire

Group photo of the Renfrewshire Award winners with Colonel Peter McCarthy and Lieutenant Colonel Gerry McKay It was our great pleasure to return to Paisley Abbey on 29 May to present local Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) with their Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificates of Meritorious Service.

The awards presentation saw Reservists from 71 Engineer Regiment‘s 102 Field Squadron recognised for their outstanding service by Colonel Peter McCarthy, The King’s representative for Renfrewshire.

Awards were also presented to two adult volunteers from West Lowland Battalion Army Cadet Force and 4 Air Experience Flight, Royal Air Force Air Cadets, acknowledging their dedication to teaching and supporting the youngsters in their units.

Highlighting the incredible value of the supportive relationship between Reservists and their civilian employers, the awards ceremony included the presentation of an Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze Award certificate to Craft Prospect Ltd.

Glasgow Caledonian University Hosts Lowland RFCA Annual Association Meeting

Colonel Yvette Hopkins, GCU Chair of Court, welcomes Association members to the campus for the AGM On Thursday 15 May, Lowland RFCA members came together at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) for the Association’s Annual General Meeting.

The university, which received a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award in 2020 for its outstanding support of the Armed Forces Community, warmly welcomed military and civilian members and guest speakers in the campus’ Govan Mbeki building, where they enjoyed a chance to mingle and catch up over a cuppa before the official proceedings began.

Highlights of the meeting included an insightful introductory address from the University’s Chair of Court Colonel Yvette Hopkins, as well as the presentation of a quaich to Colonel Alex McNamee to thank him for his outstanding dedication to Lowland RFCA and the Army Cadet Force as a Board member, Vice Chair (Cadets) and Colonel Cadets.

Attending Association members were also pleased to hear briefings from two former Cadets who have since returned as Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, detailing how the Cadet experience has benefitted both their personal and professional lives in many ways.

Armed Forces Week 2025

Armed Forces Week has been and gone for another year, and we’d like to express our gratitude to the many Lowland employers who spent the week proudly showing their support for the Armed Forces Community.

Whether through encouraging Reservist colleagues to wear their uniforms to work for Reserves Day, attending special events at local units, or simply flying their Armed Forces Week flag, it’s always wonderful to see businesses and organisations of all sizes and sectors showing their appreciation for the Regulars, Reservists and veterans in their community.

George Leslie receives its ERS Bronze Award as part of its Armed Forces Week celebrations

A special Armed Forces Week shout-out should go to George Leslie Ltd, a Civil Engineering contractor that was presented with its ERS Bronze Award in recognition of the organisation signing its AFC.

We would also like to thank the Ship’s Company at HMS Dalriada for hosting such an insightful Reserves’ Day event on Wednesday 25 June.

Throughout the course of the evening guests to the event, which included several local employers and Councillor Jacqueline McLaren, Lord Provost and Lord-Lieutenant for the City of Glasgow, visited an array of capability stands within the unit.

The demonstrations and displays covered small arms handling, firefighting, physical training, sea survival and boating simulations, all delivered with first rate professionalism by skilled and confident Reservists.

Paisley Reservists Host Cadet Engagement Evening

The Hawkhead Road Army Reserve Centre in Paisley was a hive of activity on Tuesday 10 June as the resident Reservists of 102 Field Squadron hosted an engagement evening for their neighbours in the facility, West Lowland Battalion Army Cadets.

Throughout the evening, the Cadets enjoyed talks and interactive demonstrations delivered by Reservists at various stages in their military careers. This helped the Cadets gain some insights into the wide range of specialist trades and career paths open to Reservists.

Between the fantastic weather and the Cadets throwing themselves into the demonstration activities so enthusiastically, it’s fair to say that a great time was had by all.

Dates for your Diary

Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Awards Presentation

Thursday 9 October, Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life. Timings and dress code will be confirmed on invitations.

Lowland RFCA Board Meeting

Wednesday 22 October, time and location TBC.

Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards Presentation

Thursday 30 October at Edinburgh Castle, timings TBC. Black tie dress code.

Our Highlight Reels…

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