Twelve organisations from the East Midlands have joined a strong, national collective of 1,200 extraordinary Defence champions after receiving their Gold Employer Recognition Scheme Award.
Amongst the distinguished guests was Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP, who emphasised that the support of businesses has “never been more needed than in today’s world.”
The Defence Minister and Member of Parliament for North East Derbyshire presented the Ministry of Defence’s highest accolade for employers to firms recognised for their outstanding support of the Armed Forces community.
She said: “It is beyond doubt that our Armed Forces are stronger, can do their job more effectively, and our nation is more secure as a direct result of the work that you all do to support our Reservists, our Armed Forces spouses, our Veterans, and our Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, and bring everybody together to really make sure that we have a very strong link between our Armed Forces community and industry.”
On November 20th, the 2025 Gold Award winners gathered at Toyota’s impressive Motor Manufacturing plant in Derby, which was formerly the RAF Burnaston site until 1990.
Alongside the Minister for Veterans and People, the event was attended by four Lord-Lieutenants and senior military personnel from across the East Midlands.
The awards showcased a diverse range of dedicated organisations committed to supporting the Armed Forces community. Among the winners was Kwik Tip, a waste management business led by Managing Director Tyler Bloomhill, who is in the process of joining the Army Reserves. Others included large employers such as Northampton General Hospital and Chesterfield-based HR services provider GI Group Holding.
In total, the ‘gold standard’ of support is now in place for in the region of 25,000 additional roles, bolstering support in key strategic sectors such as technology, healthcare and cyber.
The complete list of 2025 Gold Awards winners from the East Midlands is as follows:
- Amanet
- Derbyshire Constabulary
- GI Group Holding
- Kettering General Hospital
- KwikTip
- Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board
- North Northamptonshire Council
- Northampton General Hospital
- On Hand Training & Security
- PointWire
- Vision West Nottinghamshire College
In total across the country, more than 200 employers – from FTSE 100 companies and emergency services, to local councils and high street names – have been awarded the Gold Award this year for their exceptional support to the Armed Forces community.
Guests enjoyed exceptional performances from The Derbyshire Army Cadet Force Band and The Ensemble of the Band of the Royal-Auxiliary Air Force.
A fitting location
Hosted at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK, the 2025 cohort of award winners experienced first-hand what it means to uphold the Gold standard.
Since receiving their Gold Award back in 2023, the Derbyshire-based car giant has hosted two East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations award ceremonies, including last year’s joint Silver Employer Recognition Scheme and Lord Lieutenant’s Awards.
Toyota is committed to supporting the Armed Forces, offering employment pathways for Cadets and promoting a newly established ‘Armed Forces Network’.
This initiative was proudly displayed in the foyer for guests, showcasing the company’s dedication to being a Forces-friendly employer and setting a strong example for other companies in the East Midlands.
Louise Sandher-Jones added: “I’m very proud to be an MP from Derbyshire. We have a fantastic, rich, industrial heritage here in Derby, so it is fantastic to see the place that Toyota has invested in and that employs so many people across the region.
“Obviously, the links between Toyota and the Defence industry are fantastic as well, and it’s really great to see how Defence people are taking the skills, experiences and the values that they’re gaining in their Military service and using them to fantastic effect here in Toyota.”
Words from our winners
Farhana Ahmedabadi-Patel, the Head of Organisational Development and Inclusion at University Hospitals Northamptonshire, which encompasses Kettering General Hospital and Northampton General Hospital, said: “The Armed Forces are a massive part of our community, and we endeavour to have Reservists and Forces family members as part of our colleague community.
“The Defence-trained colleagues that come to our workplace are an amazing group of people. They bring discipline, a sense of community, spirit, and an intent to work as a team, rather than on their own.
“They bring a whole different meaning to service and to our community. They have a strong attitude towards learning, but most importantly, they’re experienced in working under harsh conditions and still providing outstanding service.
“Being recognised as a Gold Award holder means a sense of pride. It’s something we showcase wherever we go, whenever we have the opportunity. It’s just a great sense of pride, we just want to continue to do more and create new pathways of how we can continue working with Defence.”
Andrew Ravenscroft, Managing Director of On Hand Training & Security, said: “Being ex-Forces myself, I’m always striving to support the Defence community.
“Anyone within the Armed Forces community that we employ will get additional leave if needed, and if we notice a gap in skills, we push towards getting them the right qualifications.
“Quite a few of the staff who work for us are either serving or ex-Forces, so it’s a great opportunity to work together and still have that Military family.
“We’re now actively encouraging other businesses to achieve Bronze in the Employer Recognition Scheme, and we’ve got a few other organisations in our network that have Silver and are looking to push for Gold in the years to come.”
Kirstie Parker, one of our Defence Relationship Managers, worked closely with many organisations that achieved Gold this year, including On Hand Training & Security, Kettering General Hospital, and Northampton General Hospital. She said: “This is the most special night of the year, and the best day in my calendar.
“It’s great to come and spend time with these wonderful employers and reward them for all their hard work, and it goes to show the level of support that is out there from employers for the Defence community. It’s been a pleasure to share the evening with them.”
Make your pledge
With the window now open for applications for the 2026 Employer Recognition Scheme Silver and Gold Awards, this is the opportunity for employers to pledge their support.
Louise Sandher-Jones said: “I would urge every employer to get involved and look at the great things that the Employer Recognition Scheme can support you to do.
“It’s absolutely fantastic when a company recognises that it’s not just about being a business, it’s about paying back into society, and there is honestly no better way to support than by employing Reservists, employing Veterans and supporting people who want to volunteer in our fantastic Cadet organisations.”
Photos from our 2025 Gold Award ceremony are available to view here.
