Wessex Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) is delighted to announce 50 businesses in the South West have been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Awards in 2025. These awards celebrate the commitment of employers across the region to supporting the Armed Forces community, including Reservists, Veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, and military families.
The Silver ERS Award is a formal recognition of employers have gone above and beyond in demonstrating a sustained and proactive approach supporting the defence community within their organisations.
What it Takes to Achieve Silver
To be eligible for Silver status, employers must have previously received the ERS Bronze Award and used the intervening period to put robust policies and practices in place. It is rare for any organisation to achieve both Bronze and Silver within the same 12-month period, as Silver requires clear and embedded support structures.
Key criteria for the Silver Award include:
- Fair Recruitment Practices: Organisations must proactively ensure that members of the Armed Forces community are not disadvantaged during recruitment or selection.
- Internal Communication of Policies: Positive HR policies supporting Reservists and the wider defence community must be shared clearly and confidently with all staff. This may include detailed references in job descriptions or on the company website.
- Mobilisation Support: Employers must have a framework in place to support Reservist mobilisation, or show a committed understanding of this process. This includes familiarity with the role of Unit Employment Support Officers.
- Additional Leave for Training: At least five days of additional annual leave (ideally paid) must be offered to Reservists to allow them to fulfil their training obligations.
- Ongoing Engagement with the MoD: Silver awardees must maintain an active relationship with their local Defence Relationship Manager.
- Support for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers: Flexibility could be offered to employees who volunteer in cadet forces, allowing them to balance their work responsibilities with their service to young people.
These criteria are carefully assessed by a regional Silver Board coordinated by the DRM to ensure that each awardee is making a meaningful, measurable impact.
A Messages of Congratulations
Emily Kadoch, Defence Relationship Manager for the South West, praised this year’s recipients, saying:
“It is always a pleasure working with organisations across the South West that want to support, not only their own defence people employees but also our wider Armed Forces community. To see the evidence organisations provide each year of the amazing work they are doing to try to make a real difference to defence is a real privilege. It is fantastic that we are able to reward these organisations with their well-deserved Silver Employer Recognition Scheme Award this year – a big congratulations to you all once again!”
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.”
Below is a list of organisation who have won Silver in the Wessex region in 2025;
Nova Aerospace Ltd
QCC Global Ltd
Torbay Council
Sentinel Photonics Ltd
CSE Bournemouth Ltd
Ridgewater Energy Ltd
Advanced Systems Understanding Ltd
Osborne Clarke LLP
Bespoke Guardians Ltd
Caring @ Home Ltd
Shield Reply Limited
Immersive Labs Ltd
Ammtek Limited
Occam Group
Prolinx Limited
Your Eco Construction
South Gloucestershire Council
Parker Bullen LLP
1servco Ltd
Home Instead North Devon and Exmoor
The Dorothy House Foundation Ltd
CloudSecure Ltd
Escape The Village
Otter Valley Funerals Ltd
Atlantic + Limited
Bournemouth Above and Beyond Trust
YTL Group UK
NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board
Elbit Systems UK Limited
Ontic Engineering & Manufacturing UK Limited
Agincare Group Ltd
A J K Services Ltd
IAG (Global) Ltd
Evocatus Consulting Ltd
Avantis Performance Ltd
John Pipe Limited
Logic Consulting
Renishaws Plc
Bristol City Council
South West Water Ltd
Exminster Garage Ltd
Turnbull Infrastructure & Utilities Ltd
Rygor Group Limited
Horstman Defence Systems Limited
Sheq Services Ltd
Torbay & South Devon NHS FT
Trident Maritime Systems UK Limited
City College Plymouth
F-TEC Forklift Training Engineering Centre
Sangfroid Group Ltd
