Jonathan Lee Recruitment was honoured to be recognised with an Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) silver award at the 2024 Defence ERS West Midlands Silver Awards.
The award ceremony, held at the National Memorial Arboretum, celebrated 37 silver award winners from across the West Midlands. The ERS, operated by the Ministry of Defence, encourages employers to cultivate an armed forces-friendly environment. This silver-level certification highlights our ongoing commitment to defence professionals, their families, and the broader armed forces community.
This recognition follows our signing of the Armed Forces Covenant, a voluntary commitment tailored to our business. The Covenant underscores our support for the armed forces through employment opportunities for service leavers and ongoing assistance to veterans and their families.
Armed Forces Covenant silver awards, National Memorial Arboretum. credit: leeboswellphotography.com
Chairman Jonathan Lee remarked: “We are delighted to receive the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award. After holding the bronze award since 2019, we felt it was time to aim higher for silver. Jonathan Lee Recruitment remains steadfast in its dedication to the armed forces community. I am incredibly proud that we not only employ ex-service professionals but also assist those transitioning from military life to civilian careers.
We are thrilled that the Ministry of Defence has acknowledged this commitment and publicly recognised us with this award.”
Representing Jonathan Lee Recruitment at the event were Peter Heap (Aerospace & Defence recruitment expert and veteran of 20+ years), Grant Nisbet (Director), and Steven Franklin (Marketing & Digital Business Partner). Peter was honoured to collect the award from Air Commodore Adam Samson. Attendees were treated to an impressive blacklight drum display by the Corps of Drums of the Royal Logistic Corps.
Following a fantastic lunch, which provided the opportunity to network with fellow silver award recipients and Ministry of Defence representatives, the team attended a service of remembrance at the Armed Forces Memorial. The memorial, the largest within the arboretum, commemorates those who have given their lives in service since the end of the Second World War, with over 16,000 names inscribed. The solemn ceremony, which included the playing of the Last Post and a two-minute silence, offered a moment to reflect and honour their sacrifice.
Thanks to the MOD, and the West Midlands Reserve Forces & Cadets Association for organising such a meaningful day, and Darren Knight and Philip Sinclair, Regional Employer Engagement Directors for West Midland RFCA for all of your help on the journey to achieving the award and finally, congratulations to all of our fellow silver award winners.
To learn more about Jonathan Lee Recruitment’s work with the armed forces community, click here.
Armed Forces Covenant silver awards, National Memorial Arboretum.
credit: leeboswellphotography.com
Share this blog post
