Standard Life Aberdeen (SLA) is celebrating a Gold Award for its support for serving and former Armed Forces personnel.

Now in its fifth year, the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme recognises businesses that have shown outstanding support for the military community and the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Covenant exists between the people, the UK Government and all those that have served in the Armed Forces and their families

The 50 winners in this year’s awards were recognised for a range of initiatives, including support for those transitioning to a career outside the armed forces and providing flexibility for reservists.

SLA was recognised for the work of its Armed Forces Network which provides support for the armed forces community including veterans, reservists, cadets, spouses, family members and friends. This includes supportive policies for employees who are reservists as well as spouses and partners of armed forces personnel, such as paid leave and the protection of roles for up to 12 months in the event of mobilisation.

The SLA Armed Forces Network has also engaged in community-based initiatives, including insight events to provide ex-military personnel recovering from injury with the practical skills to aid their transition to civilian life. Strong links have also been forged with Poppyscotland, raising money and drawing attention to its important cause.

SLA became a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant in 2013 – the second business in Scotland to do so – in recognition of contribution made to the organisation by ex-military personnel through attributes such as leadership, resilience and team-working skills.

Felicity Chisholm, finance reporting manager and Lieutenant, Royal Navy Reserve commented:

“In return for two weeks paid special leave, Standard Life Aberdeen reaps the benefits that reservists bring to the organisation. The rigorous training develops key attributes that are invaluable to employers, such as teamwork, self-confidence, leadership and meticulous organisation. Through training exercises, reservists gain experience in dealing with a diverse range of people from all ranks, nationalities and cultures, and through serving on operations they develop ingenuity, determination and the ability to improvise in unfamiliar or challenging circumstances.”

Every year SLA holds a remembrance service at its office at 1 George Street, Edinburgh. This year the building was illuminated in red along with 150 other Scottish landmarks as part of Poppyscotland’s centenary commemoration of Armistice Day.

Attending this year’s remembrance service were (left to right):

Maxine Antoniou – Aberdeen Standard Investments

Jack Ransom – 98 year old former employee and World War Two veteran

Commanding Officer 5 Military Intelligence Battalion