Leading Bolton-based missile systems developer MBDA has achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). This prestigious prize is presented to organisations that demonstrate outstanding support for those who serve and have served in the UK Armed Forces.

MBDA, which has a site in Bolton, has held the Silver ERS Award since 2014; however it now joins other leading organisations, including BAE Systems, Jaguar Land Rover and Airbus, to have been presented with the highest level of recognition. To secure the Award MBDA has highlighted its role as an exemplar within the defence industry and has displayed exceptional support for individuals who serve and have served within the UK Armed Forces, as well as being a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. The Award also adds to MBDA’s position as a Sunday Times Top 30 Employer that it gained in 2017.

Chris Allam, Managing Director UK at MBDA, commented.

“We are delighted to have secured the Gold Award that highlights the outstanding work we do to support the Armed Forces and those who serve and have served within them. We recognise the role that employers like us play in providing opportunities for those who have protected our nation and it is fantastic to gain recognition for the work that our staff have contributed. A key element of this support is the valuable contribution that service families and charities deliver on a daily basis and it has been a real honour for many of our staff to contribute to this effort.

MBDA and its predecessors have a long history of supporting the Armed Forces and of employing ex-service personnel. We gain hugely from their direct experience of the operational environment, and their personal appreciation of customer needs and aspirations. We are extremely proud to gain this recognition and will continue our support of the Armed Forces and those who protect our country for many years to come.”

Steve McKenna, who served for 28 years in the Army and now works in MBDA’s customer relations team, commented.

“We are always on the lookout for the right individuals to join us and our workforce gains from the skills of professionals with service backgrounds who provide competencies that are often hard to identify in the workforce. It is critically important to provide opportunities for former members of the Armed Forces and we hope more organisations will commit to being valued employers of these individuals in the future.”

The Minister for Defence People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood said:

“The breadth and diversity of this year’s winners shows how business support for the Armed Forces continues to flourish. Their commitment is a testament to the fantastic contribution our serving personnel, veterans and their families can make to any organisation.

“We all have a role to play in ensuring that the Armed Forces community is not disadvantaged by service, and each of these employers is a setting an example as meaningful advocates for those protecting the nation.”

Bill Beaumont, an army reservist who also works for MBDA, said.

“Since leaving the Army 5 years ago and joining MBDA the company has bent over backwards to help my transition into a new civilian career. Along with this I have been activity encouraged to pursue a career within the Army Reserve. This support particularly has given me the opportunity to continue my long held aspiration of commanding a regiment, and to experience the satisfaction that comes from leading soldiers. This would not have been possible without the top to bottom support of MBDA Management and HR Policies put in place to support veterans and Reservists alike.”