Anna Roby-Welford, 3CDSG CEO welcomed the award by saying “I am thrilled that 3CDSG has been formally recognised for a Silver Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. 3CDSG was set up specifically to support SMEs in the Three Counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, the majority of whom are veteran-owned. The fact that the group is run by a Board of volunteers each of whom have significantly busy day-jobs, gives me a sense of immense pride and gratitude. 

I am also delighted that whilst as a micro-business, 3CDSG is unable to recruit or employ members of the Armed Forces, the Group has demonstrated through its ethos, values and activities that it meets the criteria for the Silver Award. 

Each member of the Board, many of whom are veterans themselves, dedicates themselves to the professional and often also personal support of current and past Armed Forces personnel and to their wider families, and to the promotion of the Armed Forces Community. 

We hope that by giving back in our small way in recognition of their incredible courage, 3CDSG can make a difference to the lives of such selfless, dedicated and talented people.” 

After what has been a particularly challenging 18 months for businesses of all shapes and sizes, we are proud to join 40 other organisations within the West Midlands Region who have been awarded the Silver Award in 2021 and a further 9 who have had their Silver Award renewed.

The MoD introduced the ERS to recognise those organisations that commit to supporting the Armed Forces community, including Reservists, Veterans, Spouses, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Cadets. Achieving a Silver Award demonstrates that 3CDSG, its flagship event, the Three Counties Defence and Security Expo (3CDSE) and the 40 other organisations within the West Midlands implement positive measures to actively support this community and ensure they face no disadvantage as part of the wider Armed Forces Covenant scheme.

3CDSG is run by a group of volunteers from the veteran, reservist and wider armed forces community who are passionate about supporting innovation and supporting the Armed Forces Community within the Region. The 3CDSG Partnership team includes Harrison Clark Rickerbys Solicitors, Richard Hopkins Waymarker Financial, Samantha Lewis, NMITE and, of course, our CEO Anna Roby Welford from Altiora Marketing – all of whom give their time for free.  

Our group capitalises on the great transferable skills refined through years of varied experience in the military. Our members know the value employers can get from making their recruitment processes more accessible and inclusive of the veteran, reservist and wider armed forces community, because almost all of the businesses within our membership are made up of people from that community. Our members communicate effectively, have the confidence to make decisions and never shy away from a challenge. Skills that undoubtedly transferred from a life in service – so we are thrilled that 3CDSG has itself been recognised for the support it offers to the Armed Forces Community, both directly and through 3CDSE .

We would like to congratulate The Royal National College for the Blind, HS Infra, Octaga Security Services, The Cart Shed and Sutton House on their Silver Awards. Many of these businesses once again are veteran owned and have themselves supported 3CDSG and 3CDSE. We’d like to extend a very special congratulations and sincere thank you to Wye Valley NHS Trust on their Silver Award and outstanding work during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a testament to the commitment of these organisations that they actively prioritised their commitment to the Armed Forces community during this incredibly challenging time. In our opinion, it is no less than the community deserves for their service.