Bell Group receive Ministry of Defence Silver ERS Award
Bell Group are delighted to be one of eleven Scottish employers that received a top award from the Ministry of Defence for their outstanding support for the Armed Forces.
We were presented with the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award at a black-tie dinner in the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle 14th November 2019. The prestigious accolade is the second-highest badge of honour available to organisations that employ and support Reservists, service leavers, Veterans and their families.
Guests were welcomed to the Great Hall by Lieutenant Colonel Hugo Clark, the Commander of Edinburgh Garrison before each employer received their ERS Silver award from Major General Simon Brooks-Ward, CVO, OBE, TD, VR, Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Reserves and Cadets) – the most senior Armed Forces Reservist in the UK.
Those in attendance also enjoyed a performance from the George Heriot’s Pipe Band and the Royal Marines Band and were given an insight into how fellow employers supported their Reservists, and the business benefits of part-time military personnel, through a number of speeches during the evening.
The audience heard from Flying Officer Ashley Brooks of 1756 (Broxburn) Squadron on his role as an Adult Volunteer with the RAF Air Cadets before Major Scott Menzies, a Reservist with 6 SCOTS and a pilot with Loganair, spoke about his dual role as a Reservist and an employee.
Each Silver Award winner has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a commitment to supporting Defence through services, policy and projects.
Employers have gone above and beyond with their support through engaging with initiatives such as employing veterans, supporting individuals transitioning out of the Armed Forces into a new career and providing flexibility for Reservists.
Bell Group, provides flexible work packages for all staff including those that are part of the Armed Forces. All staff are supported during deployment and the company supports charities including the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT) and the Royal British Legion.
Bell Group CEO, Craig Bell, said: “Bell Group continues to have a strong partnership with the Armed Forces and are proud to have redecorated, maintained and refurbished accommodation, service and support buildings for the Armed Forces for over 20 years. We believe this is an important part of our business activity.
“As a family owned business we believe in, and invest in, our employees. We provide flexibility to many staff serving with the Armed Forces, support them during deployment and actively recruit from service leavers who, we know from experience, have the skill and attitude we seek as an employer.
“Bell Group is very proud to have been awarded the Ministry of Defence’s ERS Silver Award, one of the highest accolades for supporting the Armed Forces community.”
