Standard Life Aberdeen wins gold award in Ministry of Defence employer recognition scheme

Standard Life Aberdeen has been named among 50 winners of the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards which recognises businesses that have shown outstanding support for the military community and the Armed Forces Covenant.

Now in its fifth year, the awards highlight initiatives including support for those transitioning to a career outside the armed forces and providing flexibility for reservists.

In the case of Standard Life Aberdeen, it was its Armed Forces Network, which is for everyone who has an affinity with the armed forces community, including veterans, reservists, cadets, spouses, family members and friends.

SLA says the programme commits it to range from practical activities to support its staff and prospective staff who are also members of the military community, as well as their families.

The firm said: “A key element of the Armed Forces Covenant is the importance of providing support to reservists and the flexibility of leave for spouses. We have taken steps to ensure this commitment has been met with both tailored policies for reservists and support for spouses and partners of armed forces personnel.”

The Edinburgh-based firm said the aims of its Armed Forces Network is also achieved through collaborating with military charities and government to help those outside its business who need its support.

A number of community based initiatives have also taken place.

The SLA Armed Forces Network provided input to the Business in the Community Toolkit to help create a fairer society and a more sustainable future. Strong links have also been forged with Poppyscotland, raising money and drawing attention to its important cause.

SLA explained: “Each year we hold a remembrance service at our memorial in our office in George Street, Edinburgh and this year, along with 150 other Scottish landmarks, we will light the building red as part of Poppyscotland’s commemoration of Armistice Day.”

Felicity Chisholm, finance reporting manager and Lieutenant, Royal Navy Reserve, said: “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.”