Employers from the Highland RFCA area gathered at The Black Watch Castle and Museum in Perth on 3 September to receive Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Awards.
The reception and presentations, hosted by Highland RFCA on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, formally recognised the support the 18 organisations give to the Armed Forces community.
On the night, 15 organisations were on hand to collect their Silver Award for 2026 from Commander 51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland, Brigadier Dave Calder OBE.
The Silver Award recipients were:
- Aberdeen Laundry Services
- Andrew the Painter
- ASCO UK Ltd
- Birlinn Tech
- Carmichael and Baxter Industrial Services
- Connect Alloa
- Cromarty Firth Marine Services
- Future Group (Highland) Limited
- Hydrasun Limited
- Integrity QHSE
- Kirkcaldy Cabs Limited
- Military Museum Scotland
- Moray Business Women
- Offshore Helicopter Services UK Limited
- Wakeley Tree Surgeons Ltd
- Wasted Degrees Brewing
- Winter & Simpson Ltd
- Yellow Cherry Digital
Among the other military representatives were Air Officer Scotland, Air Commodore Mark Northover; Commanding Officer of 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Lieutenant Colonel David Robertson; HMS Scotia Commanding Officer, Commander Kirk Macrae; and from 51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland, Colonel Dave Bradley and Major Simon Talbot.
The evening began with employers and their guests being piped into the venue by Major Andy Potter, Cadet Executive Officer of The Black Watch Battalion Army Cadet Force, before being welcomed by Highland RFCA Deputy Chief Executive Tom Kerrigan.
An opportunity for networking followed before guests enjoyed an outstanding piping set from Major Potter.
Prior to the presentations, Brigadier Calder, said: “We are here this evening to give recognition to employers as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. You may be interested to know that the number of companies joining the Scheme is rising rapidly – the milestone 15,000th Armed Forces Covenant was signed this year and the number continues to rise. There are over 1,700 Silver Award holders nationally. We hope that now you too have reached the Silver standard you will go on to become advocates to other businesses and organisations on behalf of the defence family and thereby qualify to be considered for the Gold level Award.
“On behalf of Defence, I thank you for your commitment and all that you are doing for us.”
◼︎ The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme recognises those who demonstrate or advocate support to the Armed Forces community and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant – a pledge from the nation that those who serve or who have served and their families are treated fairly.
Silver winners must meet certain criteria, including: employing at least one individual from the Armed Forces community, actively ensuring that their workforce is aware of their positive policies, demonstrating support to mobilisations of Reservists and providing at least five days’ additional leave for training.
#ERSSilver26
