Loganair has become the first airline to be recognised by the UK Government with a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, for the opportunities it provides for the Armed Forces community. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award is the highest badge of honour and recognises the positive role that employers play in supporting the Armed Forces community.

The UK’s largest regional airline was among almost 200 businesses to achieve Defence ERS Gold awards today (Wednesday 12 July). Loganair’s success follows previous awards for the airline at Bronze and Silver level. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. It encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and also align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

Loganair, which last year launched a dedicated equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, Flying’s For All, to encourage and support staff from all backgrounds, is a proud advocate of the Armed Forces and currently employs more than 16 people from the community across the business. Among them is Captain Aakash Sajid who is also an Army Reservist Private. Captain Sajid previously attended Edinburgh Castle last November to accept Loganair’s Silver Defence ERS award.

Lyndsay Kennedy, Head of Human Resources, Loganair, said: “We are honoured and excited to be the first UK airline to achieve a Gold Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Award following our previous Bronze and Silver accreditations. We believe flying’s for all and go to great lengths to be a diverse and inclusive employer. It’s incredibly rewarding to be acknowledged in this way.”

Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, Dr Andrew Murrison said: “I would like to thank all the organisations that have been recognised in this year’s awards. I’m delighted that we have seen so many organisations recognised with a gold award. Their continued support demonstrates the unique benefits and strengths that our Armed Forces community can bring to the workplace.”

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, delivered by Defence Relationship Management has a current total of 641 holders. Organisations must reapply every five years to retain their Gold Award status.

To win a Gold award from the Ministry of Defence, organisations must provide at least 10 extra paid days leave for reservists, and have supportive HR policies in place for reservists, veterans, Cadet Force adult volunteers and the spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.

They must also advocate the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community, by encouraging other organisations to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and engage with the Employer Recognition Scheme.