The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award revalidation dinner took place at The Black Watch Castle and Museum in Perth on 22 January.
The evening saw three organisations from the Highland RFCA area presented with their 2025 Award certificates. Both the ERS Gold and Silver Awards are reviewed and revalidated on a rolling five-year basis.
Aberdeen City Council, Angus Council, and High Life Highland were all first awarded Gold in 2020.
The Award from the Ministry of Defence is in recognition of the ongoing support the organisations give to the Armed Forces community, recognising the positive role employers play in supporting Defence and inspiring others to do the same. Gold is the highest badge of honour for supporting the Armed Forces community.
The organisations have all been powerful advocates for the Armed Forces Covenant over the past five years, actively engaging with their peers, encouraging them to employ Armed Forces personnel, Veterans, and their families, and providing robust and sustained support for Reservists.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
There are now more than 1,000 organisations that hold Gold Awards. The Scheme is delivered by Defence Relationship Management.
The revalidation dinner saw certificates awarded to representatives from the three organisations. These were presented on behalf of Defence by the Commanding Officer of HMS Scotia, Commander Kirk Macrae. Commander Macrae also spoke about the value and benefits of Reserve Service to the Armed Forces, the individual and to employer organisations.
Also in attendance, along with Highland RFCA Defence Relationship Managers Hayley Munro and Ray Watt, was Highland RFCA Chief Executive Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Huan Davies RM.
Representing the employer organisations were: Aberdeen City Council – Alison Paterson and Lesley Strachan, Angus Council – Sharon Faulkner and Ronnie Proctor MBE, and High Life Highland – Steve Walsh and Morven MacLeod.
Sharon Faulkner is also the chair of Highland RFCA’s Highland Gold Network.
A spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council said: “We are proud supporters of our Armed Forces and we are absolutely delighted to have successfully revalidated our Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award accreditation. The Award recognises the work Aberdeen City Council does as an employer to ensure all of our recruitment activities reference that we are a Forces-friendly employer, providing paid leave to our employees who are in the Reserve Forces or Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. We continue to strive to improve how we can support existing and potential employees from a Service background, as well as encourage other organisations to support the Armed Forces community and apply for the Employer Recognition Scheme.”
Steve Walsh, Chief Executive of High Life Highland, said: “I’m extremely proud to have our Gold Award renewed. As one of the largest Leisure and Culture Trusts in the country, we are rooted in making life better in our communities. Renewal of Gold status recognises the supportive environment we provide for Armed Forces personnel, Reservists and their families. We will continue to champion the Armed Forces Covenant, act as an advocate to encourage others to recognise the value the Armed Forces deliver to our society and promote the skills, values, knowledge and experience that Reservists and ex-serving personnel can bring to the workforce.”
Nationally, nearly 200 organisations were recognised in 2025 for supporting the Armed Forces community.
