A Proud Evening for RecMat at the ERS Silver Awards 2026
Last night was a proud moment for RecMat as we were recognised at the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Awards 2026, receiving the prestigious Silver Award for our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community. The event, held at the historic Admiralty House in Portsmouth, brought together employers from across the South East who are making a positive difference for veterans, reservists, military families and cadet force adult volunteers.
Representing RecMat at the awards ceremony were members of our leadership team, who accepted the award on behalf of the organisation. The Silver Award was presented by The Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, alongside The Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, The Countess Howe, reflecting the significance of the occasion and the important role employers play in supporting defence personnel.
Receiving the ERS Silver Award is a significant milestone for RecMat and demonstrates our dedication to the values of the Armed Forces Covenant. It reflects our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where members of the Armed Forces community are valued, supported and given opportunities to thrive.
Celebrating at Admiralty House
The setting for this year’s awards could not have been more fitting. Admiralty House, with its strong links to the Royal Navy and the UK’s military heritage, provided an inspiring backdrop for an evening dedicated to recognising employers who actively support the Armed Forces community.
The ERS Awards brought together organisations from a wide range of sectors, all united by a shared understanding of the skills, experience and values that veterans, reservists and military families bring to the workplace. It was encouraging to see so many employers committed to supporting those who serve or have served our country.
For RecMat, attending the event reinforced why our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant remains such an important part of our organisational values and culture.
What the ERS Silver Award Means
The ERS Silver Award recognises employers who have moved beyond their initial Armed Forces Covenant commitments and have implemented meaningful measures to support the Armed Forces community.
Silver Award holders demonstrate that they:
- Support reservists through policies that accommodate training and deployment commitments.
- Recognise the valuable experience and transferable skills that veterans bring to civilian employment.
- Support cadet force adult volunteers and their contribution to developing future generations.
- Provide understanding and flexibility for military families.
- Actively promote the Armed Forces Covenant and its principles throughout their organisation.
For RecMat, achieving Silver status reflects our belief that supporting the Armed Forces community is both the right thing to do and a positive contribution to building a stronger, more capable workforce.
Our Commitment to the Armed Forces Community
At RecMat, we value individuals who demonstrate dedication, resilience, leadership and teamwork. These qualities are often deeply embedded within members of the Armed Forces community, making them a tremendous asset to any organisation.
Our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant has focused on creating an environment where veterans, reservists and military families feel welcomed, respected and supported. We recognise the unique experiences they bring and the positive impact they can have across all areas of an organisation.
Throughout our journey towards achieving the ERS Silver Award, we have worked to strengthen our policies, raise awareness internally and ensure that our commitment is reflected in meaningful actions rather than words alone.
Why Supporting the Armed Forces Community Matters
The Armed Forces community makes a significant contribution to society and to employers across the UK.
Veterans bring leadership, operational experience and a disciplined approach to problem-solving. Reservists balance civilian careers with military commitments while developing valuable skills that benefit both employers and society. Cadet force adult volunteers dedicate their time to developing young people, while military families often demonstrate remarkable adaptability and resilience.
Supporting the Armed Forces community helps to:
- Create smoother transitions from military to civilian employment.
- Recognise and utilise valuable transferable skills.
- Promote equal opportunities and career progression.
- Provide flexibility for reservists to meet their service commitments.
- Build supportive and inclusive workplaces.
These efforts benefit individuals, organisations and the wider community alike.
The Skills Defence Personnel Bring to the Workplace
Members of the Armed Forces community are known for bringing a wide range of highly transferable skills into civilian employment.
These include:
- Leadership and decision-making.
- Teamwork and collaboration.
- Strategic thinking and planning.
- Problem-solving under pressure.
- Effective communication.
- Commitment and professionalism.
- Adaptability and resilience.
These qualities are valuable in every sector and help organisations build strong, capable teams that can respond effectively to challenges and opportunities.
A Night of Recognition and Inspiration
The ERS Awards provided an opportunity to celebrate not only individual achievements but also the growing number of organisations committed to supporting the Armed Forces community.
The stories shared throughout the evening highlighted the positive impact that employers can have when they actively embrace the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. It was inspiring to meet organisations that share a common goal of ensuring veterans, reservists and military families receive the recognition and support they deserve.
For RecMat, the evening was a moment to reflect on the progress made so far while also looking towards the future.
Looking Ahead
Achieving the ERS Silver Award is an important milestone, but it is not the end of our journey.
RecMat remains committed to strengthening our support for the Armed Forces community and continuing to build on the foundations we have established. Our future ambitions include:
- Expanding opportunities for veterans within our organisation.
- Strengthening support for reservists.
- Increasing awareness of the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Collaborating with partners to share good practice.
- Working towards achieving the ERS Gold Award in the future.
We believe that investing in people who have served, or who support those who serve, helps create stronger organisations and stronger communities.
Thank You
We would like to thank South East RFCA for delivering an excellent event and for the important work they do in supporting both employers and the Armed Forces community.
We also extend our thanks to everyone who has supported RecMat on this journey. Achieving the ERS Silver Award has been a collective effort, and we are proud to stand alongside other organisations that share our commitment to supporting those who serve.
A Proud Moment for RecMat
Receiving the ERS Silver Award 2026 is a proud achievement for RecMat and a reflection of our values, culture and commitment to the Armed Forces community.
While we celebrate this recognition, we remain focused on the future and on finding new ways to support veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers and military families.
Together, we can continue to build inclusive workplaces that recognise the unique contributions of the Armed Forces community and ensure they have every opportunity to succeed.