Scottish Land & Estates Recognised With Prestigious Silver Award For Armed Forces Support

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has been awarded the Silver Award under the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), recognising the organisation’s outstanding commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.

As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, SLE is a long-standing supporter of service personnel, veterans, reservists, cadet forces adult volunteers and their families. This Silver Award highlights the organisation’s continued dedication to being a “forces friendly” employer, going above and beyond its Covenant pledges.

The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) celebrates employers who actively support the Armed Forces community through flexible employment practices, awareness training, and engagement with defence initiatives. The Silver Award is given to employers who not only promote the values of the Armed Forces Covenant but also demonstrate meaningful action in recruitment, retention, and development.

SLE has built strong relationships with organisations such as Officers Association Scotland to better understand the unique needs and strengths of the Armed Forces community. The organisation recognises the valuable skills and experiences both active reservists and service leavers bring, from leadership and adaptability to strategic thinking and teamwork.

Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said:

“We are immensely proud to receive the Silver Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. At SLE, we firmly believe in the value that veterans, reservists, cadet forces adult volunteers and their families bring to the workplace. Their dedication, professionalism, and transferable skills are an asset to any organisation. We also know that many of our members have served in the armed forces and make an outstanding contribution to the rural businesses we represent in Scotland. 

“Signing the Armed Forces Covenant was an important step for us, and this award reflects our ongoing commitment to making our sector and organisation as welcoming and supportive as possible to those who have served. We are also proud to work alongside organisations such as Officers Association Scotland, which provide invaluable support to service leavers and employers alike.”

This recognition places Scottish Land & Estates among more than 12,400 organisations across the UK that have pledged their support to the Armed Forces community. By offering flexible working arrangements and fair treatment for service families, SLE is helping to ensure that veterans and reservists thrive in civilian life.