Mersey Maritime has been awarded the Gold Award under the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), recognising its outstanding and long-term commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.
The Gold Award is the highest level of recognition available through the Employer Recognition Scheme and is presented to organisations that demonstrate exceptional support for Defence, including serving personnel, veterans, Reservists, military families and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
The award builds on Mersey Maritime’s Silver Award, achieved in 2024, and reflects the organisation’s continued commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. Since signing the Covenant in 2018, Mersey Maritime has strengthened its support through workplace policies, engagement with Defence partners and by encouraging other organisations across the maritime sector to recognise the value of the Armed Forces community.
Mersey Maritime is also proud to be associated with a number of its members who have achieved Employer Recognition Scheme awards, reflecting the close relationship between the maritime sector and Defence across the Liverpool City Region and the wider North West.
Commenting on the award, Ruth Wood, Chief Executive of Mersey Maritime, said:
“We are delighted to have received the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award. It is a fantastic recognition of our ongoing commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community and reflects the values we hold as an organisation.
“As a membership organisation representing the North West maritime sector, we’re proud to champion the skills, experience and dedication that serving personnel, veterans, Reservists and military families bring to our industry. We hope this achievement encourages more organisations to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and recognise the important contribution the Armed Forces community makes to our workplaces and communities.”
Phil Waterhouse, Chairman of Mersey Maritime and former Royal Navy Regional Commander for the North of England, added:
“The maritime sector has always had strong links with Defence, and this is especially true here in Liverpool and across the North West. Achieving Gold recognises not only the practical support Mersey Maritime provides, but also its commitment to strengthening those long-standing relationships.
“I’m proud to see Mersey Maritime leading by example and helping to raise awareness of the Armed Forces Covenant across our network. I hope this inspires more organisations to get involved and support those who serve, or have served.”
The Employer Recognition Scheme recognises organisations that go above and beyond in their support for Defence. Gold Award holders demonstrate sustained commitment through policies that support Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, engagement with Service leavers and veterans, and by encouraging others to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and follow their example.
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