Veterans, serving Forces personnel, employers from the private and public sector and other representatives of the Armed Forces community came together for the special business breakfast.

Gold Award presentations were made by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire Mr Edward Harley CBE CStJ to five employers - recognizing their ongoing leadership and commitment to those who serve. Four were ‘revalidated’ for a further five years right through until 2030, reflecting their long-term support for the Armed Forces:

• NMITE
• Spectra Group
• Level Peaks
• Herefordshire Council

SEPAR International achieved its Gold Award for the first time, and Minerva Elite Performance received a Silver Award.

Cllr (Lt Col Retd) Peter Stoddart MBE, Chair of the Herefordshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership and the Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, and Council Chief Executive Paul Walker received the Gold certificate for the Council during the Herefordshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Annual Review event. Attendees heard that a remarkable 180+ employers across the county are involved in some way in supporting services leavers, serving personnel and their families.

Cllr Stoddart said:

“We’re proud to once again achieve DERS Gold as a Council. Herefordshire’s bond with the Armed Forces runs deep, and the commitment of so many different businesses is unparalleled anywhere else in the country. Herefordshire truly is a county and a community that comes together to ensure those who serve and have served get the respect, opportunities and support they deserve, and can maximise the skills they bring to workforces.” 

Herefordshire Council Chief Executive Paul Walker said:

“This Gold Award reflects our commitment to supporting armed forces personnel and encouraging employers across Herefordshire to do the same. As an anchor institution, and major employer delivering services and support to everyone across the county, we can make a real difference in helping those who have made so many sacrifices for all of us. I am proud of what has been achieved - and we’re determined to build on it.”

Katie Petford, Training Manager of Separ International, said:

“Many of our team are ex-Forces - we have long recognised the unique skillsets they can bring into the business. We have committed even more though, taking real action by developing policies and approaches that make it easier for service leavers and their families to access opportunities, and make the transition often into a new way of life. We are proud to be part of a community across Herefordshire that values the Armed Forces, and receiving the Gold Award is fantastic recognition of this.”

The event featured contributions from senior military and civic figures, including an overview of the Armed Forces Covenant Partnership’s many projects and impact over the past 12 months from Vice-Chair Air Cdre (Retd) Tim Howson DL. A great insight into key moments from history was provided by Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum Honorary Curator Colonel Andy Taylor OBE MstJ DL.

Herefordshire Council’s Gold Award is renewed for a further five years, until December 2030, recognising its ongoing leadership in championing the Armed Forces community. This includes support for serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families through policies, employment practices and community engagement.

The Council has introduced several key new initiatives in recent years, including:

• Developing and running a successful staff Armed Forces Network, with 25 current members
• Proactive recruitment of service leavers, including attendance at job fairs across the West Midlands
• Support for Adult Cadet volunteers, with seven currently in the workforce and access to flexible and additional paid leave
• A robust Mobilisation Policy, enabling reservists and managers to support active service deployments
• Flexible working arrangements, paid leave initiatives and wellbeing support for spouses of serving personnel
• Cross-organisation support and involvement in Armed Forces Week
• Appointing a dedicated Armed Forces Covenant Officer and an Armed Forces Champion.

Herefordshire Council Chief Executive Paul Walker (right) receives the DERS Gold certificate from His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire Edward Harley CBE CStJ.