Industry cluster organisation Mersey Maritime is one of a number of Liverpool city region firms to receive the ‘Silver’ award for their commitment to the ‘armed forces community’. Tony McDonough reports

Mersey Maritime is one of 47 organisations from across the North West to have been awarded the ‘Silver’ award from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

This award, given under the MoD’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, recognises support of the defence and wider armed forces community. 

This includes employing serving and former members of the armed forces community, and demonstrating flexibility towards training and mobilisation commitments for reservists and cadet force adult volunteers.

A number of Mersey Maritime members also received the award. They are Artemis Media Profile, Kays Medical, Marine Specialised Technology, PSI Global and Seaking Electrical.

Ruth Wood, chief executive of Mersey Maritime, said: “Mersey Maritime is proud of its association with the armed forces and defence community and this accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to supporting it.

“Our values proudly align with the Armed Forces Covenant, particularly as we seek to champion those who serve and have served.

“As a diverse membership organisation across the maritime industry in Liverpool city region, we also know that this commitment and support is shared by many of our member businesses.

“It was with their encouragement that we decided to put ourselves forward for Silver Award status and we hope this announcement will inspire and encourage other organisations to join in with this vital cause.”

Chairman of Mersey Maritime and former Royal Navy Regional Commander for the North of England, Phil Waterhouse, said: “This reflects the entire Mersey Maritime team’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for defence personnel.

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“But not just our own, that of so many of our members too. With my own longstanding background in the Royal Navy, I know how synonymous the maritime industry is with the armed forces and defence community. 

“That relationship runs deep here in Liverpool and the wider North West and we are incredibly proud of it. Our Armed Forces Covenant journey began in 2018 and has gone from strength to strength. We look forward to developing it further in the years ahead.”