Specialist engineering firm SEA’s support for ex-military personnel has earned it the highest badge of honour under a scheme that recognises the role businesses play in supporting the Armed Forces.
The firm, which has a base in Bristol, was presented with the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award, having previously held a silver ERS.
SEA, which employs around 300 people and has been a major supplier of tactical communications and data systems to the defence industry for more than 60 years, demonstrates its commitment to the Armed Forces through a number of initiatives.
These include engaging with suppliers to ensure they are aware of, and adopt, the Armed Forces Covenant, providing career opportunities for individuals transitioning from the military, recognising and accommodating the requirements of Reservists and considering veterans for job positions based on their military qualifications.
SEA managing director Richard Flitton said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition. Commitment to the Armed Forces community runs right through SEA and without ex-service personnel in our business, we would not be able to deliver critical defence capability that helps keep our people, our country, and our assets safe.
“As a business we embrace the values of the Armed Forces Covenant and I’m proud of the way this continues to evolve.
“Our Reservist policy allows our Reservists to carry out their commitments while we also support servicepeople transitioning to civilian life and have a thriving military volunteering community.”
The firm also supports service-related charities and organisations, with staff taking part in the recent Run2Paris in support of Armed Forces charity SSAFA.
SEA, which has its head office in Beckington, near Frome, manufactures and supports a wide range of defence systems used mainly by the Royal Navy and other navies across the world for fleet protection.
These are designed to provide a rapid response to threats, track and monitor targets and ensure system effectiveness and interoperation ship and fleet protection and include agile-platform anti-submarine warfare and integrated underwater situational awareness.
The firm, which also has a base in Barnstaple, Devon, and a Canadian office in Quebec, also develops traffic enforcement and safety systems that enable more efficient transport management.
Since 2007 it has been part of UK defence tech group Cohort.
