Press release

Employers recognised for their defence support with 2025 ERS Silver Awards

The Ministry of Defence is pleased to announce that 307 organisations have been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award for 2025.

Framed Silver ERS Awards. Copyright: RFCA.

The ERS Silver Award recognises employers who have shown exceptional support to the armed forces community, including reservists, veterans and military families. These employers have gone beyond their Armed Forces Covenant commitments to embed supportive HR policies, promote defence values, and advocate for service personnel in the civilian workforce.

Awardees typically demonstrate:

  • paid leave for reservist training and mobilisation
  • active veteran recruitment and retention policies
  • flexible support for military families
  • visible leadership endorsement of the Armed Forces Covenant

Major General Jamie Gordon, Chief Executive of the Council of Reserve Forces鈥� and Cadets鈥� Associations, said:

These Silver Award winners are trusted allies of defence. They don鈥檛 just talk about support鈥攖hey 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鈥檚 about practical, sustained support that strengthens our national resilience.聽It is very pleasing that they have been recognised for all they do for our reservists, veterans and cadets.

The announcement forms part of defence鈥檚 broader strategy to build closer relationships with industry and civil society in support of a modern, adaptable armed forces.

Find out how your organisation can support the armed forces community through the Armed Forces Covenant and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme:

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Updates to this page

Published 16 June 2025