Nineteen outstanding employers from across the South West have been recognised for their exceptional commitment to the Armed Forces community at this year’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards. The ceremony took place last Thursday at the impressive Fleet Air Arm Museum, bringing together organisations that have shown exemplary support for serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families.
The Gold Award is the highest accolade available through the national scheme and celebrates employers that demonstrate sustained leadership, advocacy and tangible action in support of the Armed Forces Covenant. This year’s South West cohort reflects the region’s forward looking and collaborative spirit, showcasing employers that have embedded meaningful and lasting support for the military community within their organisations.
List of Gold Award recipients:
A&P Group Ltd
Aspire Defence Limited
AXIAH Ltd
Betaris Training Ltd
Blue Screen IT T/A BIT Group
Bridges Electrical Engineers Limited
Brigantes Consulting Ltd
Cervus Defence and Security
Code 9 Security Ltd
FR Aviation Limited
Heidelburg Materials UK
Montpellier Public Relations Ltd
Nautilus International Risk Consultants Ltd
Naval Solutions Ltd
P3 Projects Ltd
Regent’s Park Healthcare Limited
Somerset Integrated Care Board
Take Point Training Limited
The Armishaws Group
Representatives from each organisation attended the ceremony to receive their award and to celebrate their achievements alongside peers from across the region.
Quotes from recipients:
Karyn Owen, Business Support Manager – Aspire Defence Ltd
“Aspire Defence Ltd are proud to champion the Armed Forces community through proactive support, inclusive policies, and meaningful engagement. Our organisation has embedded the Armed Forces Covenant into our culture, offering flexible leave for reservists and adult cadet volunteers, and guaranteed interview schemes for veterans and spouses. Our team includes veterans who advocate for continuous improvement in our defence-friendly practices.
We collaborate with local military units, sponsor community and military events, sponsor eight Army & Corps sports (via Army Sport), and provide mentoring for transitioning personnel. Our commitment is not symbolic – it’s operational, strategic, and real. Achieving Gold would reflect our sustained efforts to ”make soldiers’ lives better”, whilst serving and afterwards as they return to the civilian workplace.”
Ben Green, Client Partnership Manager – Take Point Training Ltd
“As a veteran-owned, military-inspired leadership development provider, our team at Take Point is immensely proud to apply for the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). Supporting the Armed Forces community is at the heart of who we are, reflected in our proactive support and recruitment of veterans, reservists, and military spouses, alongside flexible working arrangements, tailored transition programmes, support of and partnership with forces charities and resettlement mentorship.
Supporting those connected to the Armed Forces is a core tenet of our culture. This ethos shapes how we develop leaders, grow our team, and engage with those around us. Beyond employment, we actively contribute to civil-military understanding to champion the broader defence family wherever we can.
This application stands as a recognition not only of our values, but of the tangible impact we strive to make within workplaces and throughout the communities we serve.”
Commodore Tristram Kirkwood, Naval Regional Commander for Wales, Western England, and the Channel Islands – Royal Navy
“This award is a mark of genuine commitment: to those who serve, those who have served, and the families who support them. And while tonight is about recognition, it’s also about reflection. Because the support you provide goes far beyond the workplace – it contributes directly to the resilience and strength of our nation.”
The evening provided an opportunity to highlight the innovative policies, flexible working practices and inclusive cultures that these employers have championed. Their leadership continues to encourage others to strengthen their own commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant.
