Silver Employer Recognition Scheme Award Winners 2025

Monday 16^th June 2025 | We are delighted to announce that 33 organisations from across the South East have been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award for 2025.

The ERS encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the Armed Forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

Silver award holders must already be accredited as a holder of ERS Bronze Award and held it with sufficient time to develop suitable plans and policies and evidence to support the ERS Silver application. Awardees typically demonstrate:

Supporting Reservists with leave for training and mobilisation
Supporting Cadet Force Adult Volunteer employees with leave for supporting the Cadet movement
Active Veteran recruitment
Flexible support for military families

Major General Jamie Gordon, Chief Executive of the Council of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations, said: “These Silver Award winners are trusted allies of Defence. They don’t just talk about support — they show it, every day, through flexible policies, visible advocacy, and long-term commitment to those who serve. This is about more than good intentions; it’s about practical, sustained support that strengthens our national resilience. It is very pleasing that they have been recognised for all that they do our Reservists, Veterans and Cadets.”

Managing Director of McCormick Construction Consultancy Ltd, Daniel McCormick, ICIOB, BSc (Hons) said: “McCormick Construction Consultancy is beyond proud to have been awarded the Silver Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Award. It reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community, exemplifying our mission to transform our beliefs into actions. This award affirms that our inclusive hiring practices, flexible support for service-related commitments, and advocacy make a real impact, and is a welcome recognition of the steps we’ve taken so far and a motivator to keep doing more.”

Contingent Commander of Chatham Grammar, Paula Knight, said: “Being recognised as an ERS Silver Award winner in 2025 means a great deal to us at Chatham Grammar. It reflects our deep and ongoing commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community, including service personnel, Reservists, Veterans, and their families. As a school, we value the unique strengths and perspectives that military families bring to our community, and we work hard to ensure they feel welcomed, understood, and supported, whether through flexible admissions, emotional wellbeing support, or a stable and nurturing educational environment. The Silver Award validates our efforts to go beyond basic recognition, demonstrating that we actively engage in promoting Armed Forces-friendly policies and practices across our curriculum, staff development, and wider school culture. It’s a source of pride not just for our leadership and staff, but for our students too, as it reinforces values such as respect, service, and community cohesion. Receiving this award is both an honour and a motivator; it reminds us of the importance of what we do and inspires us to continue building strong links with our Armed Forces community in the years ahead.”

Congratulations to all of the following organisations in the South East that have been awarded their Silver Employer Recognition Scheme Award this year:

Follow the link below to find out more about the Employer Recogntion Scheme: