We have been awarded the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award by the Ministry of Defence for our support for the armed forces community.
The accolade, the highest available in the ERS, recognises our action to support currently serving troops, service families, veterans and cadets.
Last Thursday evening (29 September), Cllr Derrick Louis, ECC’s Armed Forces Champion, and Lucy Wightman, Director of Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities, attended a regional awards ceremony at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club in London to pick up the award.
To achieve the award, organisations must pledge, demonstrate, or advocate support to serving and veteran armed forces personnel, as well as their families, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
Cllr Derrick Louis, Deputy to The Leader and Essex County Council's Armed Forces Champion, said: “It was a huge honour to be at The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards Ceremony representing Essex County Council. Our county has a long and proud association with the armed forces and at ECC we’re committed to supporting both serving and veteran armed forces personnel, as well as their families.
“I would like to thank our staff at all levels for stepping up to the challenge and helping us move from Silver to Gold accreditation.
“Having served my country in the British Army for over 30 years, supporting Essex’s serving and ex-service personnel is incredibly important to me personally. I am proud of ECC’s work in this area as I know how much of a difference it can make to individuals and families.
“Achieving Gold accreditation demonstrates we take our responsibilities toward the armed forces community very seriously and we remain committed to further developing the support on offer.”