Ongoing work to support Bromley’s Armed Forces community has led to further national recognition, with a prestigious Gold Award being achieved, which follows a silver award just a year ago.
The Gold Award accreditation, part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), is the Ministry of Defence's highest recognition for organisations demonstrating outstanding support for the Armed Forces community. The gold recognition underlines the council’s continued support for the Armed Forces and follows the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant in 2023, renewing the commitment made a decade previously.
The news follows the earlier hosting this summer of an Armed Forces Day celebratory event in Queens Gardens Bromley which saw local units and organisations come together to honour the Armed Forces Community locally.
Councillor Mike Botting, Armed Forces Champion said, “We rightly show our appreciation across the borough for those who bravely serve in our Armed Forces, including each year on occasions like Remembrance Sunday. But it is crucial that we go beyond this to make sure the recognition and support is in place, embedded in council policies where appropriate so that those who serve and have served and their families are valued in our borough.”
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said, “The gold accreditation is very welcome news but actually this is about those connected to the Armed Forces being supported in Bromley when needed. Our congratulations go to Bromley FC Community Trust and SATOS Media who also achieved the ERS Gold Award accreditation, which is very encouraging news as well. I encourage other businesses and organisations across the borough who have not yet done so to also sign the Armed Forces Covenant, so we can better come together and help support those to whom we owe so much.”
The ERS Gold Award recognises employers who go beyond their Armed Forces Covenant commitments by embedding forces-friendly policies, creating work places where veterans and reservists can thrive. Bromley is one of only three London authorities to achieve the Gold Award through the ERS.
Only 10 of the 162 national Gold Award recipients for 2026 are located in Greater London, with three, including the council, being based within the borough. Both Bromley FC Community Trust and SATOS Media also received the Gold Award accreditation.
There are more veterans living in Bromley than any other London borough, with dedicated Army Cadet, Air Training and Sea Cadet Corps also active across Bromley. The council uses various channels to help share information to assist the Armed Forces community, including having shared reservist recruitment opportunities through the borough-wide Our Bromley magazine and by providing local armed forces information and advice online at www.bromley.gov.uk/ArmedForces.
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For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Head of Public Affairs, on 020 8461 7670 or email Andrew.Rogers@bromley.gov.uk.