10 Welsh organisations strike gold at Hensol Castle
10 employers have been presented with the prestigious Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award at a special ceremony at a Welsh castle.
Caption: Gold ERS Awards 2023. Copyright: RFCA for Wales.
Large group of ERS Gold Award winners smiling.
The 10 employers from across Wales were recognised for their outstanding support to the armed forces community at the awards ceremony held at Hensol Castle on 23 November.
The awards evening began with a drinks reception and music from Cerys Rees, regimental harpist of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh. Guests were also entertained by The Band of the Prince of Wales during the evening.
Sian Lloyd was the compère for the evening, with the welcome address given by Hannah Blythyn MS Deputy Minister for Social Partnership. The opening speech was given by Brigadier Nick Thomas CBE Commander 160th (Welsh) Brigade, Head of the Army in Wales.
The keynote address was then given by Rear Admiral Steven McCarthy, Ships Director Operations and Capability Integration at Defence Equipment and Support.
Recipients of the Gold Award from Wales were:
- Allan Morris Transport Limited
- Coleg y Cymoedd
- Delyn Safety UK Limited
- Myddelton College Ltd
- Sierra Nevada Corporation Mission Systems UK, Ltd
- Sofit Group Ltd
- Therapies4services C.I.C.
- Transport for Wales
- Velindre University NHS Trust
- Worthington and Jones Limited
The awards were presented jointly by Rear Admiral Steven McCarthy, Brigadier Nick Thomas CBE, and Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Adrian Williams OBE.
Mike Joy, Managing Director at Delyn Safety said:
We are extremely proud as an organisation to have achieved the ERS Gold Award and recognise the invaluable skills, dedication, and unique perspectives that military veterans, reservists, and their families bring to our organisation. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to supporting the armed forces community.
Director of People and Culture at Coleg y Cymoedd, Julie Rees said:
We are delighted that our support of the armed forces has been recognised with a Gold Award. We hope to see the college armed forces network grow and to increase our provisions for armed forces veterans and reservists as part of our ERS award in the future.
Karl Gilmore, Rail Infrastructure Director & Armed Forces Champion at Transport for Wales said:
At Transport for Wales we continue to support our armed forces community and are proud to have achieved Gold status from the ERS. By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, we acknowledge, understand and support those who have served in the armed forces or continue to do so in a reservist capacity, their families or those who are cadet force adult volunteers, should be treated with fairness and respect in the community, society and the workplace.
Awarded by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the ERS formally recognises organisations that employ and support those who serve in the armed forces, veterans and their families. Across the UK, 193 organisations received the Gold Award this year.
To win the Gold Award, organisations must provide 10 extra paid days leave for reservists and have supportive HR policies in place for veterans, reserves, and cadet force adult volunteers, as well as spouses and partners of those serving in the armed forces.
Organisations must also advocate the benefits of supporting those within the armed forces community by encouraging others to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and engage in the ERS.
Mr Tony Fish, the MOD’s Regional Employer Engagement Director for North Wales said:
We’re delighted that so many employers in Wales have been recognised with this Gold Award.