PRINCE HARRY AND DEFENCE SECRETARY AWARD GOLD TO WOLFERSTANS SOLICITORS

HRH Prince Henry of Wales has presented Wolferstans Solicitors with a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award. The Award is a prestigious badge of honour from the Ministry of Defence for organisations who have demonstrated outstanding support for the Armed Forces community.

Hosted by Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon, Wolferstans’ Senior Partner, John Chapman, his wife Josephine Chapman and Armed Forces Coordinator, Natasha Mason attended the award presentation which took place on Monday 9 October at the Imperial War Museum in London.

Prince Harry thanked this year’s winners and heard about successful initiatives providing veterans with a fair chance of starting a second career in diverse industries following military service.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

“This year’s Gold award winners should be extremely proud of the work they are doing to live up to the Armed Forces Covenant pledge and to promote the pledge to others.

“I’m delighted to recognise employers who make it crystal clear that regardless of size, location, or sector, employing people with military skills is good for business. I hope others follow their example, thereby delivering a better deal for veterans and armed forces families.”

Wolferstans are the only law firm in the UK to hold the Gold status. John Chapman said: “We are very proud to be one of only 80 organisations who have received this Award over the past three years. Wolferstans has always been committed to serving the local community and we have embraced the opportunity to extend this to the Armed Forces in our area and beyond. Not only are we able to offer employment to veterans, we also offer independent legal advice relating to medical and other personal issues. Receiving this Award will serve to encourage us to develop our support for those who have given so much to our society.”

The employers recognised with the ERS Gold distinction in 2017 for going above and beyond their pledges under the Armed Forces Covenant are:

Wolferstans Solicitors, Airbus, Balfour Beatty, City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Combat Pest Control, DHL, DXC Technology, ER Systems Global, FDM, Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, General Dynamics UK, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hull City Council, Inverclyde Council, Kuehne + Nagel, Laing O'Rourke, Liverpool City Council, Mabway Ltd, ManpowerGroup UK, Metropolitan Police Service, Morson Group, Network Rail, NHS Golden Jubilee Foundation, North West Ambulance Service, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Shropshire Council, Skanska UK Plc, Sodexo UK & Ireland, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Transport for London, West Midlands Fire Service, Wiltshire Council, X-Forces.

For further information on supporting the Armed Forces Covenant and the Defence Employers Recognition scheme contact Jon Beake, Wessex Employer Engagement Officer on 01823 250110.