Thirty-two businesses recognised for supporting the Armed Forces community
The Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Yorkshire and the Humber (RFCA YH) is delighted to
announce that thirty-two organisations from Yorkshire and the Humber have received the prestigious Silver Award under the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). These organisations are among the 331 national recipients of the 2026 Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award. Representing diverse industries, sectors, and sizes, this year’s Yorkshire and Humber recipients are recognised for their steadfast commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community through fair workplace human resources policies and practices that benefit veterans, reservists, families of serving personnel, and cadet force adult volunteers.
Recognising enormous value
Major General Marc Overton (MSHQ-ACDS RFC), said:
“Congratulations to all organisations receiving the ERS Silver Award this year. These employers are making a meaningful contribution to Defence by supporting those who serve, while recognising the enormous value that Reservists, veterans and military families bring to the workforce”.
“As a Reservist myself, I know how important employer support is. The flexibility, understanding and advocacy shown by organisations across the UK enables our people to balance civilian careers with service commitments, strengthening both Defence and society as a whole.”
“In today’s increasingly uncertain global environment, strong partnerships between Defence and employers are more important than ever. The commitment shown by this year’s Silver Award holders helps ensure the UK maintains resilient, capable and adaptable armed forces for the future.”
Strong representation in the region
Phil Walton, Head of Engagement at RFCA YH said:
“We are thrilled to see such a strong number of organisations in Yorkshire and the Humber being granted the Defence ERS Silver Award. This record achievement demonstrates the breadth and depth of support for our veterans, reservists cadet force adult volunteers and military families among the region’s employers. From small family-run businesses to major corporations, these employers are playing a vital role in enabling our people to serve while building successful careers. We warmly congratulate every organisation that has achieved ERS Silver status this year and extend our sincere thanks for their continued commitment. We look forward to working closely with them on the next steps of their ERS journey and supporting them as they develop even stronger Armed Forces-friendly policies and practices.”
About the Employer Recognition Scheme
The Award celebrates employers who demonstrate exceptional support for the Armed Forces community, including reservists, veterans, and military families. These employers exceed their Armed Forces Covenant commitments by embedding supportive HR policies, promoting Defence values, and advocating for service personnel in the civilian workforce.
- Awardees typically demonstrate:
- Paid leave for Reservist training and mobilisation
- Active veteran recruitment and retention policies
- Offered flexibility for CFAVs and engage with the cadet movement
- Flexible support for military families
- Visible leadership endorsement of the Armed Forces Covenant
A pledge to the Armed Forces
The ERS comprises three award levels—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—reflecting an organisation’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community. The scheme encourages employers to provide development opportunities that complement the service and civilian careers of military personnel, whether currently serving, veterans, or associated with the forces, while promoting broader support for the wider Armed Forces community. To be eligible for an ERS nomination, employers must be signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC), a commitment to support the military community. Yorkshire and the Humber’s Silver ERS Award winners will be celebrated at an awards event in York on 2 July 2026.
Why being a forces-friendly employer matters – Statements from 2026 Silver ERS employers
Laura Bell, Director of Collections, Research & Learning, Royal Armouries:
“As a museum which houses the nation’s collection of arms and armour, our relationship with Defence is woven into our very existence. From hosting regular training sessions with the Armed Forces community to providing operational support to the MOD, our commitment to being a forces-friendly employer reaches far beyond our Reserves Policy. We are proud that this work has been recognised with the Silver Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award.”
Shirley Young, Head of Talent Acquisition and Social Value at Paragon:
“We are extremely proud to have achieved the Silver Employer Recognition Scheme award. At Paragon Traffic Management, we recognise the valuable contribution that serving personnel, veterans, reservists and military families make to both our business and the wider community. This award demonstrates our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community through inclusive recruitment practices, workplace support and opportunities for career development.”
Diane Askwith, Partner and Armed Forces Lead, Ison Harrison Solicitors:
“We are immensely proud to have received the Silver Award of the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and are committed as an organisation to supporting the Armed Forces community including veterans, reservists and their families. We have put in place a number of policies to ensure employees in the organisation who are part of the Armed Forces have paid leave in the event of short-term deployments, training or national emergencies where their services are required. We are very much looking forward to strengthening our links with the reservist and cadet movements going forward and raising awareness as Ison Harrison being a Forces Friendly employer.”
Sarah Bell, Head of HR UK, Ireland & Africa at Sulzer:
“Achieving the Silver Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award is a proud milestone for our organisation, reflecting our strong and ongoing commitment to being a forces-friendly employer. It recognises the practical steps we’ve embedded across our HR policies to support veterans, reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, including flexible leave arrangements and inclusive recruitment practices. We are particularly proud of our active internal network of veterans, reservists and CFAVs, which strengthens our culture and ensures continuous support for the Armed Forces community within our workforce.”
2026 complete list of Yorkshire and the Humber Silver ERS employers
NORTH YORKSHIRE
Adaston, Harrogate
Anders de Wiart Associates, Malton
BAE Systems Strategic Aerospace Services Limited (BSL UK Ltd), Leeming
GFM (Grosvenor Facilities Management Ltd), Harrogate
Happy Futures Support Specialists, Scarborough
Interactive Technical Solutions Ltd, Knaresborough
Neurodiverse Community CIC, Catterick
North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, Northallerton
North Yorkshire Hospice Care, Harrogate
North Yorkshire Police, Northallerton
Portakabin Ltd, York
Synergize Ltd, Harrogate
Total Automated Solutions Ltd, York
Trustmarque Ultima Solutions, York
Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial, York
EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE
Bishop Burton College, Bishop Burton
Paragon Traffic Management Ltd, Scunthorpe
SOUTH YORKSHIRE
Barnsley Facilities Services, Barnsley
The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire, Sheffield
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Doncaster
Holly Tree Lodge EMI Nursing Home, Doncaster
Military vs Cancer, Doncaster
WEST YORKSHIRE
The Kirkwood, Huddersfield
Angloco, Batley
D7 Recruitment, Glasshoughton
DIRICKX Systems, Leeds
Evri, Leeds
Hunter Safety Group, Glasshoughton
Ison Harrison Solicitors, Leeds
PMGI Limited, Leeds
Royal Armouries, Leeds
Sulzer, Leeds