LJMU presented with silver award for support of the Armed Forces community

LJMU was celebrated alongside other Northwest-based organisations for its commitment to the Armed Forces community at the Defence Relationship Management (DRM) Merseyside Silver Awards 2023.

Earlier this year the university gained silver status with the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) and was officially presented with the award at a ceremony at Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral.

The award recognises the further commitment that the university has made since it gained initial bronze status in 2022. It has made considerable progress in supporting and championing the contributions of the Armed Forces community, through appointing its first Armed Forces Champion and the formalisation of a cross-university Armed Forces Steering Group.

This enhanced commitment to the Armed Forces community forms part of LJMU’s 2030 Strategy, under the Place and Partnerships Plan, underpinning its promise to build skills, the economy, society and community through local and global collaboration.

The MoD backed award recognises how LJMU continues to actively demonstrate support for the Armed Forces community since signing the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021. In particular the silver award acknowledges LJMU’s commitment through a dedicated Military Veterans and Reservist Policy which provides enhanced support for its staff, as well as its positive recruitment process which recognises that many of the skills that reservists, veterans and their families have are transferable to the workplace.

LJMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Power collected the award alongside the university’s Armed Forces Champion Dr Gus Ryrie and steering group members Wendy Bowe and Amanda Mannion who led on submitting the application for the silver award.

Guest speakers at the awards ceremony included Commander (Sea Cadet Corps) Philip Burns MBE DL RNR, Colonel Lindsey Forbes - Deputy Commander Army Headquarters North West and Andy Reid MBE - Standing Tall Foundation.