24 organisations from across the Lowlands of Scotland have been named as recipients of a highly coveted award from the Ministry of Defence in recognition of their pledges to support members of their local Armed Forces Community:
- ACS Clothing
- Active Traffic Management Solutions
- Anderson Strathern LLP
- Argon Engineering
- Barassie Engineering Systems Ltd
- Blairs Windows & Doors
- CERT (UK) Ltd
- DRVN Automotive Group
- Elimpus Ltd
- Focus Energy Services
- Greenleaf House Co Ltd
- ICW Consultants
- Indigo E-Commercial Digital Ltd
- Insite Group Holdings
- JR Scaffold Services
- McDermott Group
- McGills Buses
- ON Facilities Management Ltd
- Royal British Legion Scotland
- Scottish Land & Estates
- Skills Development Scotland
- The Glasgow Pram Centre
- Thermo Fisher Scientific
- West Lothian College
Representatives from each organisation received their Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award at the Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life in Coatbridge. Presenting the certificates on behalf of the Defence Secretary was Air Officer Scotland Air Commodore Mark Northover.
Air Commodore Northover paid a heartfelt tribute to this year’s Silver Award winners, commenting: ‘This is a busy time for both our Regular and Reserve personnel, who are engaged in numerous operations and training exercises at home and abroad.
‘It is essential that our sailors, soldiers and aviators have the full support of their employers in order to take part in such operations, and so I offer my sincere gratitude to everyone here this evening for providing that vital support.
‘We in Defence are keenly aware of the sacrifices many of you have made to allow Reservists in your teams time away from the workplace to train and to mobilise, but know that the hard and soft skills those Reservists gain with us will undoubtedly complement your own investments in your employees.’
The ERS Silver Award is the second-highest badge of honour available to organisations that employ and support Reservists, service leavers, Veterans and their families.
Each Silver Award winner has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a commitment to supporting Defence through services, policy and advocacy. One distinguishing feature of a Silver standard employer is giving any Reservist employees within their team five days of paid or unpaid leave for training.
The employers attending the awards presentation at the Summerlee Museum have gone above and beyond with their support through engaging with initiatives such as employing Veterans, supporting individuals transitioning out of the Armed Forces into a new career and providing flexibility for serving Reservists to complete training or go on deployment.
Reflecting on their journey to Silver success, Jackie Galbraith, Principal and CEO of West Lothian College, commented: ‘West Lothian College is proud to be recognised as a Silver Award Armed Forces Covenant employer.
‘Building on the work done for the Bronze level of this award, we will promote that we are a Forces-friendly employer, support the employment of veterans and support colleagues who choose to become members of the Reserve Forces, accommodating their training and deployment.
‘One of our values is “welcoming to all” and this is a further demonstration of that value. This award signals our recognition of the value veterans and Reservists can bring to our college.’
Kirsty Marshall, HR Manager for McGill’s Buses, was equally delighted that her company was recognised with the award, saying: ‘At McGill’s we believe in employing and recognising the dedication and hard work of Reservists, service leaders, and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers who make a meaningful difference in their communities. This demonstrates leadership, discipline, loyalty and teamwork, values that resonate deeply with us as a company.’
As well as presenting the awards to this year’s worthy winners, the evening doubled up as the Lowland RFCA Autumn Association Meeting, bringing together senior figures from the local Reserve and Cadet Forces and Armed Forces Champions from Lowland businesses, councils and universities.
Colonel Ted Shields MBE DL, Chief Executive of Lowland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, said: ‘This year’s Silver Awards recognise the tremendous support that these Lowland businesses and organisations give to the Armed Forces each and every day. All of us in Defence thank you – we couldn’t do what we do without you. Well done all!’
In the Press
https://www.the-gazette.co.uk/news/25550484.four-renfrewshire-organisations-recognised-mod/
https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/25544984.mod-accolade-recognition-mcgills-blairs-windows-doors/
https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/25550611.four-glasgow-based-organisations-received-mod-award/
