1,000th employer in Yorkshire and the Humber confirms commitment to Armed Forces in milestone signing
Pictured: Lieutenant Colonel Jim Dowle, Head of Army Engagement – North of England and Greg Ward, Chief Executive of PTSG
(5 May 2026, Castleford) The Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Yorkshire and the Humber (RFCA YH) is delighted to announce that Premier Technical Services Group Ltd (PTSG), headquartered in Castleford, West Yorkshire has become the region’s 1,000th signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC). By taking steps such as signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant, organisations pledge to be forces-friendly. The signing of the AFC is described as ‘the nation’s commitment’ to ensuring veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers and families of military personnel have the same access to government and commercial services as any other services, including opportunities to start a new career with a civilian employer.
Along with PTSG’s signing, the employer also joined the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) to expand on their efforts to develop HR policies that emphasise fair practice for employees who are veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers or of military families, and the wider Defence community. The ERS consists of three award levels – bronze, silver, and gold. Each level, Gold the highest, indicates an organisation’s commitment and involvement to offer support programmes and policies that align with the scheme’s framework. The main objective of the scheme is for employers to endorse their employees who are military personnel (current, former and associated) and enable development opportunities that support their current or past duty to the forces with their civilian employment.
PTSG commitment to the Armed Forces community
Greg Ward, Chief Executive of PTSG, said, “Signing the Armed Forces Covenant is both a privilege and a responsibility. The Armed Forces represent the very highest standards of professionalism, commitment and service…values that are deeply aligned with our own. As a business, we are proud to support those who have served and we are committed to creating meaningful opportunities where their skills and experience can continue to thrive.”
Liam Simpson, Group HSE Director and a former senior manager in the British Army, added: “This is an important moment for PTSG. Becoming the 1,000th organisation in Yorkshire and Humber to sign the Covenant is something we are incredibly proud of. Our business is built on capability, reliability and trust. The Armed Forces develop individuals who embody those qualities, often in the most demanding environments.
“We see a clear and compelling connection between military experience and the work we do every day, whether that’s operating safely at height, managing complex technical environments or delivering critical compliance services. This is not just about recognition, it’s about action. We are committed to actively recruiting, supporting and developing Armed Forces personnel as part of our future growth.”
Partnering with Defence
Lieutenant Colonel Jim Dowle, Head of Army Engagement – North of England, said: “Reaching 1,000 Armed Forces’ Covenant signatories in Yorkshire and Humber is a significant milestone and we are delighted that PTSG is marking that moment. Organisations like PTSG play a vital role in supporting the Armed Forces’ community, providing meaningful employment opportunities and recognising the value and high standards that service personnel bring to civilian roles. We look forward to working together with RFCA YH and PTSG to build on this commitment.”
About PTSG
PTSG employs more than 2,300 highly trained professionals, supports over 90,000 customers and maintains more than 400,000 buildings across the UK. At the heart of this operation is a workforce defined by discipline, technical excellence, teamwork and accountability – qualities that closely mirror those developed within the Armed Forces.
From electrical engineers and fire safety specialists to rope access technicians, water treatment experts and compliance professionals, PTSG recognises the strong alignment between military training and the specialist skills required to operate safely and effectively across the built environment.
The Covenant formalises PTSG’s commitment to:
• Supporting veterans, reservists and service families
• Creating pathways into skilled employment
• Recognising and valuing the transferable expertise developed through military service
Employers interested in learning more about AFC and ERS can go to www.rfca-yorkshire.org.uk/employers/ for information.
