How to go for Gold with the Armed Forces' Employer Recognition Scheme

EARLIER this month, UK Docks received a Gold Award from the Armed Forces’ Employer Recognition Scheme.

It was a proud moment for the company, one of the most important accolades UK Docks has earned since its formation in 1992 and a serious commitment to the many ex-services personnel UK Docks employs.

It marked the end of a seven-year quest for the company since signing the Armed Forces Covenant in 2018 and earning a bronze award (2022) and then a silver award (2024).

But what does it take to become a Gold Award holder and what actions do companies and organisations have to do to earn one?

The Gold Award banner that UK companies are allowed to display after successfully achieving recognition.

For those considering following us on the journey, here’s what Gold Award holders have to roll out in order to receive this prestigious recognition:

Gold award holders:

• must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant

• employers must have an existing relationship with their National Account Manager/Regional Employer Engagement Director/appropriate defence representative

• the employer must already be accredited as a holder of ERS Silver Award and held it with sufficient time to develop suitable plans and policies and evidence to support the ERS Gold application

• the employer must proactively demonstrate their forces-friendly credentials as part of their recruiting and selection processes. Where possible, they should be engaged with Career Transition Partnership (CTP) in the recruitment of service leavers and have registered for the Forces Families Jobs (FFJ) portal

• the employer must actively ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards defence people issues. For example, an employer nominated for support to the Reserves must have an internally publicised and positive HR policy on Reserves

• the employer must be an exemplar within their market sector, advocating support to defence people issues to partner organisations, suppliers and customers with tangible positive results

• within the context of Reserves the employer must have demonstrated support to mobilisations or have a framework in place. They must provide at least 10 days’ additional leave for training, fully paid, to the Reservist employee

• the employer must actively encourage a positive environment for Reservists by ensuring that positive policies in support of Reservists within the workforce are communicated to line managers

• the employer must not have been the subject of any negative public relations or media activity

• the employer should be an exemplar in demonstrating support to the Cadet movement. This could, for example, be through mentoring cadets in key employment skills, by providing guaranteed interviews for cadets.

For more information on the Bronze, Silver and Gold Award scheme, go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme

GOLD! UK Docks Awarded Prestigious Gold Employer Recognition Award from Armed Forces

UK Docks has been given a prestigious Gold Employer Recognition Award from the Armed Foces for demonstrating an ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces of the highest level.

The company is honoured to have attained the Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), marking a major milestone in the UK’s ongoing dedication to supporting the UK’s Armed Forces community.

The top-tier accolade marks the highest recognition possible for employers who demonstrate outstanding support to the Armed Forces, including veterans, reservists, and their families. For UK Docks, this achievement represents not just a badge of honour, but a profound acknowledgement of its core values and enduring commitment to those who serve or have served our nation.

The banner UK Docks will now be able to display, recognising its Gold Award status

Stephen Lee, Operations Director at UK Docks, expressed the team's pride.

He said: “The staff and management are absolutely thrilled to have achieved the Gold Award. 

“It has been a long-standing goal of the company—pursued with single-minded determination—and we are delighted to have now earned this prestigious honour.”

UK Docks signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2018, pledging to uphold the principles of fair treatment and support for the Armed Forces community. 

The company achieved its Bronze award in 2022, followed by Silver in 2024. 

Achieving Gold just one year later is a testament to the company’s accelerated efforts and meaningful progress.

Long-term commitment - members of the UK Docks’ management team seen collecting the previous Silver Award.

Managing Director Jonathan Wilson highlighted the wider impact of the award: “This is a company-wide achievement,” he said.

“It reflects the dedication of our entire team in strengthening our support for the Armed Forces, particularly in welcoming and empowering former service personnel within our workforce.
“UK Docks has long-standing ties with the Armed Forces, and we deeply value the expertise, discipline, and resilience that veterans bring to our operations both across the UK and internationally.”

The company continues to proudly support the Ministry of Defence through major contracts, including the global maintenance of the Royal Navy’s Batch 2 River-class vessels—HMS Tamar, Trent, Medway, Spey, and Forth—as well as the polar icebreaker HMS Protector.

“Beyond our operational responsibilities, we are deeply committed to supporting the wider Armed Forces community,” Wilson added. “From employment to community partnerships, our focus remains on honouring and uplifting those who have served.”

The Gold Award is a significant moment in UK Docks’ journey—recognising not only the company’s efforts, but also reinforcing its leadership as a champion for the Armed Forces and a trusted strategic partner within the UK’s maritime and defence sector.

A spokesperson for the military’s Defence Relationship Management team, which announced the latest Gold awards, said: “Thank you for your outstanding commitment and for going above and beyond in your support of those who serve, and their families.

“202 employers have received Gold this year — the highest number yet. It’s fantastic to see so many organisations leading the way in supporting the Armed Forces community, from Reservists and veterans to Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and military families.”

• UK Docks will be formally presented with its Gold Award at a presentation due to be held in York in November.

Ben takes reins of UK Docks' future business development

UK Docks Marine Services has promoted its Gosport-based Portfolio Manager, Ben Mason, to a newly-created role of Business Development director as it eyes and manages significant expansion.

The job has been created to allow UK Docks to take advantage of significant growth in recent years, which has, in turn, brought further opportunities to expand at what is an important juncture for the company.

Ben Mason, UK Docks’ new Business Development director

UK Docks, founded on a single slipway in South Shields in the North East in 1992 offering marine services and repair, has gone from strength to strength over the decades.

It now has bases around the country and operates globally, with growth accelerating in recent years.

In 2024, UK Docks won a £250 million contract to maintain and service five Royal Navy vessels at home and abroad. This year, the company announced the reopening of two newly leased dry docks on Teesside, where it currently operates.

Ben’s promotion is a sign that the company is ambitious to expand further and capitalise on the many business opportunities it sees for future development.

UK Docks managing director, Jonathan Wilson, confirmed: “Ben will be leading our growth strategy, forging key partnerships and identifying new opportunities to bring our services to more clients and communities within the Defence and Commercial sector.

“He brings extensive experience and industry knowledge, as well as a track record of success in his previous role with UKD as Portfolio Manager. 

“He also has a real passion for what he does, and for what UKD does, and has demonstrated his ability to spot opportunity, build meaningful relationships, and drive strategic vision, which makes him the perfect fit for the job.”

Ben finished his education at the University of Southampton before embarking on a varied career which included almost 20 years at BAE Systems, first as a project manager, then as assistant head of its small boats sector.

He joined UK Docks in 2020 and has spent the last few years successfully running and developing the company's specialist maritime services hub at Victoria Quay in Gosport.

The thriving Victoria Quay in Gosport

Ben said: “I’m really looking forward to taking up the new role.

“I’m excited about leading the business development strategy, building key business relationships and enabling the business to continue to grow through its ever-expanding client and partner base. 

“I’ve enjoyed my role as Portfolio Manager and in the last five years at UK Docks have met some great team leaders and members and have created a successful marine servicing hub at Victoria Quay, which I will continue to oversee.”

UK Docks claims North’s Family Business of the Year Award on night of national success

UK Docks Marine Services has won top national awards at the annual Family Business United awards night in London.

The Wilson family mark a night of national success for UK Docks at the Family Business United awards night in London.

The national event saw businesses from all over the United Kingdom competing for the honour of being recognised as those with families at their heart.

And UK Docks founder, Harry Wilson, travelled to the finals held in the Royal Geographical Society building in South Kensington, with his sons and company directors, Chris, Gary and John, to enjoy the awards they entered for the first time this year.

On the night, UK Docks emerged as the winners of the North of England (Northern Ireland) Family Business of the Year award.

But to their surprise, they also won the national Community Support and Involvement Family Award and came runners-up to the overall national competition.

UK Docks wins its second major award of the Family Business Awards night - the win coming completely out of the blue.

Jonathan Wilson, managing director of UK Docks, said: “It was a great event and venue with a good mix of businesses from all sectors. 

“The award meant a lot to us, not just to receive the recognition but to have achieved it as a family. 

“The second award came as a total surprise to all of us, and to get two awards and be runners up for the supreme national award was beyond expectation.”

The company has won a string of awards since being founded in South Shields on a single slipway on the River Tyne in the early 1990s.

Now, it has bases on a national scale and operates globally, serving and maintaining commercial and military vessels across the world, though it retains its headquarters in South Shields.

And across the years of progress, the Wilson family has worked hard to ensure that team spirit and togetherness have been maintained across its centres.

Paul Andrews, managing director of Family Business United, which celebrates the sector, said: “Family businesses are the engine room of the UK economy and UK Docks Marine Services is a family business entrenched with family values, a rich history and invested in the communities in which they operate, which resonated with the judges.

The UK Docks team celebrates a very big night for the company’s reputation at the London awards night.

"As a multigenerational family firm with a strong family presence throughout, three generations currently working together, they also have a long-term commitment to charity and community."

Jonathan said: “Over the years, we've developed and expanded the business and grown together as a family through many challenges and milestones. 

“What keeps us going is our commitment and passion for marine engineering and how far we can develop the business.

“Since starting the business, Harry and with the integration of his sons over the years, have built a strong family bond that extends across all our varied business activities. 

“Our passion and bond are deeply rooted in diligence, integrity, and adaptability, which have become the cornerstone of our success, fostering unity and purpose in everything we do. “Working together throughout the decades has highlighted our individual strengths, character and weaknesses, enabling us as a family to make informed decisions at every level of our company’s growth and development. 

“Our dedication to stability and progress, coupled with and supported by our deep belief in ourselves and each other, has allowed us to overcome failures, successes and everyday challenges. 

“That sees us thrive in our ever-changing industry and market environment.

“Our passion for our company and shared bond, strong work ethic, has allowed us to create not only stability for our family but also secure employment for many others. From employees to subcontractors and suppliers, our commitment to their success reflects the values that define our business.”

Paul Andrews said UK Docks deserved all the recognition they received at the national awards night, and he was not surprised to see them feature in three separate awards.

"They are a very strong business financially, committed to giving back and making a positive difference and showing strong attributes in all areas of their submission," he said.

"The passion and bond of the family, together with their strong work ethic, have allowed them to create secure employment for many others, in a sector which, without the drive of their chairman to revive ship repair and reopen yards, when so many others were closing, stood them in good stead.  

“His bold decision-making and leadership have not just built a thriving family business but also a respected legacy within the sector that is now being driven by the next generation."

"They are a great British family business that embodies all of the values that these awards were set up to recognise, strong family values, a real sense of purpose backed by grit, determination and entrepreneurial spirit and deserve all the accolades that winning this award affords them."

Both Shields Ferry’s shipshape for the summer season ahead, thanks to UK Docks

VITAL maintenance work has been successfully completed on the Shields Ferry service ahead of the busy summer season to ensure they operate at peak performance.
The UK Docks’ team in South Shields carried out the work on its River Drive slipway with the Pride of the Tyne coming in for extensive work before Spirit of the Tyne replaced her sister vessel for a much shorter stay.

The Port of Tyne ferry returns to the Tyne after maintenance work at UK Docks.

Nexus, the public body that runs the service, ordered the essential repairs on both of its vessels to ensure they are at their best for the busiest time of year for the iconic Tyne crossing.
The 32-year-old ferry, Pride of the Tyne, has undergone her annual service as well as a refit overhaul on her two propulsion units, while the newer Spirit of the Tyne has passed her annual service.

The Spirit of the Tyne ferry leaves the River Drive slipway in South Shields after work by UK Docks.

The works were extensive and required both vessels to spend time in dry dock.
For the Pride of the Tyne, it involved the removal of her propulsion unit, which needed to be sent away for specialist repair..
Gary Wilson, director at UK Docks, said: “Both Pride and Spirit had their main services carried out, which involved having a full clean down, corrosion removed, and paintwork refreshed. Valves were serviced and anodes replaced.
 “Pride unexpectedly required major work on her propulsion, which was removed with the help of a 250-ton crane and sent away for service.”

Engine removal from the Pride of Tyne for essential repair, carried with the aid of a 250-ton crane.

This extended her time out of the water substantially to 10 weeks and meant that both the service work and time on the Spirit had to be reduced to accommodate work on the Pride.
Gary said: “Fortunately, the younger Spirit didn’t require any unexpected major works, and she was able to go back in the water after two weeks when there was a good tide and the weather was calm.
“Nexus utilised the extended time Pride was out of the water to replace her engine room fans and the main fire/bilge valve.
“Her mooring bollards, external wooden doors and perry buoy holders were refurbished, and her engine room was also extensively cleaned out.
“We’re delighted that both vessels are now back to their best working condition and want to thank Nexus for their cooperation and support.
“Our great working relationship with the Nexus engineering team meant that even with the challenges, we achieved both ferry services within the allotted Nexus slip time.”

The Pride of Tyne ferry undergoes repair and maintenance work on UK Docks’ South Shields slipway.

Kevin Leonard, customer services operations manager at Nexus, said: “The Shields Ferry is an iconic local service and we carry out these works on an annual basis to ensure it can keep doing the daily Tyne crossings we operate between North and South Shields.
“It was great to work once again with the ship repair specialists at UK Docks, whose slipway just down the River Tyne from our South Shields landing is vital to these projects' success.”
Both vessels have now been assessed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) certification and given a clean bill of health.
The ferries will resume peak duties this summer and operate as normal for the rest of the year. 

Maintenance of the ferries takes place annually to ensure they remain in safe and serviceable conditions at all times during passenger services.