News
June 16th 2025
Defence awards prestigious business accolade to ‘magnificent seven’
Seven businesses from the East Midlands have been awarded the Silver Award in the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme.
This prestigious honour is given to employers for introducing Forces-friendly initiatives into their workplaces.
Winners of the 2025 Award in the East Midlands include Defence consultants Maiar, Brodman Fire & Security Services and North Kesteven District Council.
Statutory body the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, recruitment consultancy Wills Consultants, security firm Komcept Solutions and Stirling Timepieces complete the cohort.
Defence-friendly firms
Between them, this year’s winners employ in the region of 1,200 personnel, roles which are now certified as ‘Defence-friendly’.
That means they have proven policies in support of Reserves, Service Leavers and Spouses, Cadets and Cadet Volunteers.
For example, this includes five days of additional leave for Reserves to cover some of their training commitments and proactive support for individual Cadets or Cadet units.
Crucially, to achieve the Silver Award, companies must proactively demonstrate that the Armed Forces community is not unfairly disadvantaged by their service.
Supporting national resilience
Kirstie Parker, Defence Relationship Manager for Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland and South Derbyshire, said: “Congratulations to our ‘magnificent seven’ for achieving the Ministry of Defence’s highest accolade for employers.
“These companies haven’t just said they are Forces-friendly, they have proven that they live and breathe this commitment too.
“Successful partnerships like these are a fundamental part of the Government’s Strategic Defence Review, which aims to encourage a whole of society approach to our national resilience.
“And the word partnership is key. By creating Forces-friendly workplaces, employers will be able to attract skilled, disciplined workers often with strong leadership qualities, sought-after qualifications and a great work ethic.”
Nationally, in excess of 300 firms have been awarded the Employer Recognition Scheme Award for 2025.
East Midlands recipients will receive their awards at a special celebration hosted at Prince William of Gloucester Barracks later this year
Read our beginners guide to the Employer Recognition Scheme for information on how and why your company should get involved.
