West Nottinghamshire College has officially been presented with the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award – the highest accolade for organisations that demonstrate outstanding support to the Armed Forces community.
Proudly displaying the college’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award are (from left) college governor Lieutenant Colonel Keith Spiers, Sian Geeson and Andrew Cropley MBE.
The award was formally handed over by Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP, at a regional ceremony hosted by the East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK in Derby. It brought together senior military leaders, civic dignitaries and other Gold Award winners from across the East Midlands.
The college’s director of human resources and organisational development, Sian Geeson, collected the award on behalf of the organisation, reflecting the leadership she has provided in embedding forces-friendly employment practices and strengthening support for veterans, reservists and service families.
The college’s director of human resources and organisational development, Sian Geeson (left), collected the award from Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP.
Principal and chief executive Andrew Cropley MBE, who was also in attendance, said: “I was very proud to attend this excellent event and witness Sian Geeson collect the award on behalf of the college, after she has led our work in becoming an outstanding employer of ex-service personnel and reservists.
“We are delighted with this accolade and are already working with the Army to challenge ourselves to do yet more to support service families, veterans and reservists.”
Former Royal Navy commanding officer Mr Cropley is the college’s Armed Forces Champion and actively encourages ex-service colleagues to connect and support one another through regular group meetings, helping to build a strong and inclusive Armed Forces community within the college.
The college is one of just 12 organisations across the East Midlands to receive the Gold Award this year and the only organisation in Nottinghamshire to achieve the standard. Nationally, more than 1,200 employers now hold Gold status, representing the highest level of recognition under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
Pictured (from left) are college governor Lt Col Keith Spiers, Sian Geeson, Louise Sandher-Jones MP, Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire Veronica Pickering, Andrew Cropley MBE and Col Jim Heardman, Commander (Centre Region), British Army.
Louise Sandher-Jones MP highlighted the vital role played by employers in supporting Defence, noting that such support has never been more important and directly strengthens the effectiveness of the Armed Forces and the security of the nation.
She said: “It is beyond doubt that our Armed Forces are stronger, can do their job more effectively, and our nation is more secure as a direct result of the work that you all do to support our Reservists, our Armed Forces spouses, our Veterans, and our Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, and bring everybody together to really make sure that we have a very strong link between our Armed Forces community and industry.”
By achieving the Gold standard, the college has demonstrated that it not only advocates for the Armed Forces community but also actively champions and embeds best practice across staff recruitment, retention and progression.
To achieve this highest level of recognition, the college has built on its ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, progressing from Bronze and Silver awards in previous years to demonstrating forces-friendly leadership across its organisation.
This includes employing ex-service personnel and Reservists, implementing a dedicated Reservist policy with supportive measures such as 10 days’ paid leave for training, and actively supporting staff through mobilisation and return-to-work processes.
The college also offers qualifications that prepare students for careers in the military and emergency services, hosts an annual Remembrance Day parade and commemoration, and fosters strong engagement with military careers services — all reflecting a workplace culture that champions veterans, Reservists, Cadet Force adult volunteers and future military personnel.
Guests enjoyed exceptional performances from the Derbyshire Army Cadet Force Band.
There were also outstanding performances from the Ensemble of the Band of the Royal-Auxiliary Air Force.
Images courtesy of East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.