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East Midlands employers awarded gold for supporting the Armed Forces

Charnwood Borough Council, Derbyshire Community Health Service NHS Foundation Trust, Inzpire Ltd, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and Rushcliffe Borough Council are the organisations that have been recognised by the Ministry of Defence.

Geoff Parker, chief executive at Charnwood Borough Council said:

“Charnwood Borough Council is delighted to receive this Gold Defence Employer Recognition Award.  Charnwood’s elected members and officers are committed to continue building on the great strides that we’ve made in providing positive support for our armed forces community.

“Our successful partnership with Rushcliffe and Melton Borough Councils in this area of work to understand and recognise the personal sacrifice made by our service men and women, reserve forces, families, veterans and adult cadet force leaders is an achievement in which I and many of my colleagues take great personal pride.”

Under the Defence ERS, employers support Defence personnel and encourage others to do the same. The Scheme has three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold for organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support for Defence and the Armed Forces community.

These organisations employ members of the Armed Forces community which includes Service leavers, veterans, Reserves, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and family members of those who serve.

Hugh Griffiths, CEO of Inzpire Ltd which is based in Lincoln, said:

“We are overjoyed to be recognised as one of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award winners for 2019, this means the world to us since 80% of our employees are ex-military and we really admire the military work ethic and ethos.

“We feel that ex-military are sometimes disadvantaged, so we take great pride in supporting them and the wider Armed Forces Community. We are extremely proud of being able to promote best practice for recruitment from the Armed Forces Community and support to our reservist personnel through enhanced paid leave provision.”

The Awards will be presented by a senior politician in a special ceremony in London later this year.

Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace said:

“These awards recognise the outstanding support for our armed forces from employers across Britain and I would like to thank and congratulate each and every one.

“Regardless of size, location or sector, employing ex-forces personnel is good for business and this year we have doubled the number of awards in recognition of the fantastic support they give.”

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Johnny Mercer said:

“Veterans make a huge contribution to businesses across the country and it’s fantastic to see a record breaking number of organisations recognised for their support.

“We’re working closely with businesses to help them further understand the huge value that veterans, reservists and military spouses can bring to their organisation.”

John Wilson, the Ministry of Defence’s Regional Employer Engagement Director for the East Midlands, said:

“I’m thrilled that we can announce a record number of Gold award winners for the region. I know all of these organisations have worked hard to support Defence objectives and they are all very worthy winners.”

To find out more about the ERS and how your organisation could support Defence personnel in the workplace through the Armed Forces Covenant email John Wilson at em-empsp@rfca.mod.uk or call 0115 924 8627.