Seventeen Welsh organisations have been awarded the 2025 Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award, acknowledging their commitment to supporting the armed forces community through inclusive workplace policies.
This recognition highlights the importance of workforce inclusivity and business reputation across the UK, benefiting both employers and military personnel.
Recognising Supportive Employers
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award is a significant accolade for organisations in Wales that actively support reservists, veterans, and military families.
This year, 17 diverse organisations have been honoured for their efforts in implementing practical workplace policies that ensure defence personnel are not unfairly disadvantaged.
The award ceremony will take place at a Royal Gun Salute event in Cardiff Bay on July 17.
Celebrating Diverse Organisations
- Bulldogs Boxing and Community Activities is among the recipients.
- Powys Teaching Health Board has also been recognised.
- Bridgend College is another notable awardee.
- The awards highlight visible advocacy and flexible policies.
- The scheme encourages more organisations to support defence personnel.
The Impact on Reservists and Veterans
This recognition has far-reaching implications for individuals connected to the armed forces. For reservists and veterans, it means increased job opportunities and workplace flexibility, contributing to career stability and financial well-being.
Employers benefit by attracting skilled personnel while demonstrating corporate social responsibility, enhancing their standing in competitive markets across the UK.
Welsh Award Winners |
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|---|---|---|
| Active4Blood | Events Medical Team – Saltney Ltd | IG Doors Limited |
| Andy Swan Driver Services Ltd | Henry Williams and Son (Roads) Ltd | MPH Construction |
| Bulldogs Boxing and Community Activities | Platts Group | Powys Teaching Health Board |
| Cobra Life Martial Arts Ltd | Riverside Retreat Veterans Camp CIC | R&M Williams Limited |
| Business in Focus Limited | Shadow Response Security & Medical Ltd | V3 Group (UK) Ltd |
| The Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum Trust | Bridgend College |
A Tradition of Support
The ERS was launched as part of the Armed Forces Covenant in 2011 to ensure fair treatment for service personnel and their families. Since then, over 6,000 UK employers have signed the covenant.
The scheme’s growth reflects a maturing culture of defence community integration within workplaces nationwide, with this year’s Silver Award winners continuing this tradition by providing practical support beyond pledges.
Voices from Industry Leaders
Major General Jamie Gordon praised these winners as “trusted allies of defence” who provide “practical, sustained support” that strengthens national resilience.
Gareth Jones from Bulldogs Boxing expressed pride in receiving the Silver Award, emphasizing their commitment to supporting veterans and reservists.
Craig Middle from the Ministry of Defence highlighted the journey involved in achieving this award and congratulated all winners for their dedication to engaging with the defence community. He said:
“Achieving the Silver ERS award has been a journey for all of our deserved winners. This journey has involved an exploration into what all aspects of the defence community can do for their teams.”
“Many congratulations to all of this year’s winners – we look forward to celebrating with them in person next month.”
Additional Reading
A Parting Shot
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award highlights how diverse sectors can contribute to national resilience by supporting armed forces personnel.
As more organisations adopt these practices, they foster community integration while enhancing business reputation—a win-win scenario for both employers and employees across Wales and beyond.
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Sources: UK Government, THX News, Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCA), and Ministry of Defence.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
