Ellis Jones Achieves Gold Defence ERS Award
We are thrilled to announce that our firm has been awarded the prestigious Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, recognising our strong commitment to being a forces-friendly employer.
Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
As one of only two legal firms in the Wessex region—covering Dorset, Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Devon, and Cornwall—to receive this honor through the Armed Forces Covenant, we are proud to be acknowledged for our efforts in supporting the Armed Forces community. The Gold Award represents the highest badge of honour for civilian organisations and is awarded to companies that not only employ and support veterans and their families but also actively assist those in active service, whether as regulars, reservists, or members of the cadet forces.
With a team of nearly 200 people across offices in Bournemouth, Poole, Ringwood, Swanage, Wimborne, and London, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. Many of our staff have connections to the regular forces, reserves, and cadet forces, further enriching our firm with their unique skills and experiences.
Armed Forces Covenant
Our firm is a proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise ensuring that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, as well as their families, are treated with fairness and respect. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme has three tiers—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—that recognise employers who first pledge, then demonstrate, and finally advocate for support to the Armed Forces community in alignment with the Covenant. We have progressed through these tiers, previously holding both Bronze and Silver, to now achieve the esteemed Gold Award.
Our Managing Partner, Nigel Smith, expressed our deep sense of honour:
"We are deeply honoured to receive the Gold Employer Recognition Scheme Award. Our unwavering support for the defence community stems from a profound respect for the dedication, sacrifice, and professionalism demonstrated by service personnel and their families.
We believe it is our duty to create an inclusive workplace that values the unique skills and experiences they bring. By providing tailored support and fostering an environment where veterans, reservists, and military families can thrive, we aim to give back to those who have given so much."
Conor Maher, a Senior Associate Solicitor at our firm and an Armed Forces champion, as well as a commissioned officer in the Army Cadet Force with the rank of Captain, added:
“We recognise the huge benefit that the defence community brings both to the civilian workplace and to their communities. We are committed to working with regular service personnel, reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, veterans, military spouses, partners, and the wider defence community to bring about positive change.”
Supporting the Armed Forces Community
To support the military community, we coordinate several initiatives. Our firm provides discounted services for forces personnel and veterans, actively encourages applications from these groups under our recruitment, selection, and career development policies, and offers work experience opportunities to local cadet units. Additionally, we sponsor kit and equipment and provide an extra ten days of paid leave each year for staff involved in reserve and cadet activities.
We look forward to attending the Gold Award dinner and ceremony, which will take place on 21 November at Longleat House in Wiltshire.
For more information on our support for the Armed Forces Covenant, please visit our Armed Forces page.
How can we help?
When you submit this form an email will be sent to the relevant department who will contact you within 48 hours. If you require urgent advice please call 01202 525333.
