A SWINDON-BASED specialist security provider received an award for its commitment to the armed forces.

SSGC Ltd now has a Silver Award from the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme after receiving the bronze version in May and quickly doing enough to deserve the next level up.

The ERS acknowledges employers who have provided exceptional support to the armed forces community and defence by going above and beyond the pledges made when signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

Last year, SSGC monitored and marshalled the government’s Covid-19 testing sites on behalf of Serco and the Department for Health and Social Care.

The business rapidly recruited more than 500 fully-vetted forces veterans, providing them with long-term employment at 156 testing centres and 109 mobile testing units.

Double-amputee James Rose joined the team and manned one of the test centres before going on to become an area recruitment manager.

SSGC is supporting James as he attempts to climb Morocco’s highest peak, Mount Toubkal, in September.

The business recruited former military policeman Keith Horemans in January and he is now leading initiatives aimed towards improving the lives and wellbeing of veterans.

SSGC CEO and veteran David Stubbs said: "We are incredibly proud to announce we have been awarded Silver in this scheme.

“It is an amazing recognition for the hard work that everyone at SSGC puts in to support and improve the lives of the military community and their families.

“It has been a very strange and challenging year for many of us and I strongly believe that organisations need to go above and beyond in supporting defence personnel and their families.

“The leadership here comprises several veterans, including myself, so we fully recognise the invaluable skills they can bring to any organisation.

“We are so proud of the success we have had in embedding this level of skill into our business and in helping several of them get back to normality after life in the Armed Forces.”

As well as its commitment to its own staff, the firm supports Mission Motorsport as its chosen charity partner, so far donating more than £50,000 to the organisation which works with wounded, injured or sick service leavers and veterans.

For more information, visit www.ssgc-net.com