Atkins receives Gold ERS award
Above:
(left to right) Nick Roberts and George Rawlins from Atkins enter Number 10 Downing Street for the Armed Forces Covenant reception.
The design, engineering and project management consultancy was also one of the organisations that met the Prime Minister that evening for an Armed Forces Covenant event at No.10 Downing Street. Atkins’ UK and Europe CEO Nick Roberts collected the award on behalf of the company, accompanied by Army Reservist and Atkins apprentice George Rawlins.
Above:
Atkins receives its award from the Defence Secretary (left to right) Michael Fallon, Defence Secretary, George Rawlins, Atkins apprentice and Nick Roberts, Atkins UK & Europe CEO.
The Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme awards were launched in 2014 by the Prime Minister and include Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers. The Gold award is a badge of honour for outstanding employers and is reserved for those who become advocates for support and commitment to Defence personnel.
Atkins received the accolade for a number of reasons including the policies and support it has in place for its Reservist employees as well as its active promotion – internally and externally – of partnerships with the Armed Forces community. The positive and beneficial relationships that Atkins has developed extend across its sponsorship of Armed Forces charitable organisations, its close working with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Defence organisations, and its commitment to the national skills and Reserves agenda.
Nick Roberts, Atkins’ UK and Europe CEO, said: “As an engineering consultancy, our people are our greatest asset and Atkins has long recognised the leadership, project management and technical skills that our Reservist and ex-military personnel bring which benefit both the company and our clients.
“Recipients of the Gold Defence Employer Recognition Scheme award are considered industry leaders and beacons of excellence for their employer support programmes. As a former British Army Reservist officer, I could not be more proud that we have been recognised by the MOD with this prestigious accolade.”
Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon, said: “The support from these organisations is making a real difference to our Armed Forces community. They are ensuring that the men and women who have done and continue to do so much for our nation are treated fairly.
“Whether allowing reservists the time to train, providing jobs or supporting veterans and spouses, these companies embody what the Armed Forces Covenant is about. I am delighted to thank them for their unwavering support."
Chris Jones, Atkins’ Armed Forces Champion and an RAF Reservist, said: “It’s been just over a year since we first signed the Armed Forces Covenant and were awarded one of the first Silver Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme awards. Over this time we have worked hard to cultivate and engage with our community of thirty or so Reservist staff and explore and develop partnerships across MoD, the Armed Forces and Defence.
“In December 2015 we formally launched our Partnering with the Armed Forces programme to better coordinate our company-wide engagement and advocacy activities. Our Gold award win provides an invaluable platform for that programme to build upon.”