Businesses and organisations in Yorkshire and the Humber recognised with top Ministry of Defence honour
Businesses supporting the Armed Forces community
The Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Yorkshire and the Humber (RFCA YH) is delighted to announce that seventeen organisations from Yorkshire and the Humber have received the prestigious Silver Award under the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) for 2025. These organisations are among the 307 national recipients of the 2025 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 policies and practices that benefit veterans, reservists, families of serving personnel, and cadet force adult volunteers.
About the Employer Recognition Scheme
The ERS Silver 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
- Flexible support for military families
- Visible leadership endorsement of the Armed Forces Covenant
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.
A pledge to support the Armed Forces
To be eligible for an ERS nomination, employers must be signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC), a commitment to support the military community. The AFC and ERS are nationally recognised, and Yorkshire and the Humber’s Silver ERS Award winners will be celebrated at an awards event in York on 2 October 2025.
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.”
The announcement forms part of Defence’s broader strategy to build closer relationships with industry and civil society in support of a modern, adaptable Armed Forces.
Why being a forces-friendly employer matters from 2025 Silver ERS employers
Richard Watson, Operations Manager and Armed Forces lead for 2025 Silver ERS recipient Northern Divers:
“Northern Divers Engineering Ltd are very proud and delighted on being awarded the Silver Award as part of Employer Recognition with the Armed Forces Covenant. It’s fantastic to see the recognition of reservists and veterans, reflecting the company’s commitment to supporting their employees. Northern Divers established in 1963 by Tony Sparrowe, a Royal Navy Diver, initially embraced the skill sets of Ex-Navy and Army divers recognising their skills.”
“The dedication and commitment the company gives to ensuring that reservists have the time given to complete their essential training not only benefits the individuals, but also enhances the overall skill set within the company”. The upcoming presentation of Silver in October 2025, will surely be a momentous occasion to celebrate this achievement and Northern Divers Engineering looks forward to the future – an embracing Armed Forces employer.“
Alan Gray, HSQE Manager and Armed Forces Lead for 2025 Silver ERS recipient Green Valley Arborists:
“Receiving the Silver Employer Recognition Scheme award is a proud milestone for Green Valley Arborists and reflects our commitments to supporting the Armed Forces community. We actively promote a forces-friendly culture through flexible working policies, dedicated support for reservists, and inclusive recruitment practices. This recognition strengthens our resolve to continue championing the valuable contributions of service personnel, veterans, and their families.
“We are proud to have recently launched GVA Training as a Lantra-approved provider, delivering accredited arboriculture courses to the highest standards. We’re excited to express our interest in becoming a preferred Lantra training partner for service leavers and supporting their transition into a rewarding career in arboriculture.”
Andy Barker, Project Manager and Armed Forces Lead for 2025 Silver ERS recipient The Vehicle Group:
“Receiving the Silver ERS award is a significant milestone for The Vehicle Group (TVG). It underscores our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community and being a forces-friendly employer. This recognition reflects our inclusive HR practices and their positive impact on veterans, reservists, and their families. We are proud to be acknowledged for our efforts and will continue to champion these values.”
2025 complete list of Yorkshire and the Humber Silver ERS employers
- 5 Towns Veterans Support Hub CIC
- Catch UK Ltd
- Ethos Heritage CiC
- Forces Transition Group
- Green Valley Arborists Ltd
- Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
- Leeds Trinity University
- Northern Divers Engineering Ltd
- Oakwood Solicitors Limited
- Overgate Hospice
- Pepperells Solicitors
- Project Group
- Punk Security Ltd
- Route One Infrastructure Limited
- RSPCA Hull and East Riding
- The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
- The Vehicle Group Ltd
Be a forces-friendly employer
Find out more about how your organisation can support the Armed Forces Community through the Armed Forces Covenant and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme here: