The Ministry of Defence has awarded TSG Marine a Gold Award for the Employer Recognition Scheme to celebrate the South Tyneside business’ pledge to support the UK’s Armed Forces.
TSG Marine is one of only 29 SMEs receiving gold awards across the country. The company, based at Blue Sky Way in Hebburn, first signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2013 and has since worked to ensure that past and present members of the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are treated fairly and receive outstanding support.
For over a decade TSG Marine, which delivers Marine Access Solutions for the Energy Sector, has supported Armed Forces veterans with their personal growth as well as access to qualifications and training courses to enhance their skills and knowledge.
This has involved everything from holding insight days to supporting with opportunities in the Energy sector and commercial experience programmes.
Erika Leadbeater, Operations Director at TSG Marine, said: “Our Managing Director, Allan Syme, himself was a member of the Armed Services and has had a 40-year career as a reservist. We have always believed strongly in supporting the community.
“As a team we are honoured to receive the Armed Forces Covenant, Employee Recognition Scheme Gold Award for our commitment to helping current and former members of the armed forces.
“For us this award recognises not just what the business has done for those who have served, but also what they have done for us. We are proud to have worked with all of the service/ex-service personnel who have come through our doors; for work, for training or just for a chat.
“Our business demonstrates every day that employing veterans works. We are very grateful for what they have taught us and for the invaluable contribution they have made.”
Karl Chipp, Senior Project Manager/ HSEQ Lead and a member of the Senior Management Team at TSG Marine, was a member of the Royal Air Force for 13 years before joining the business in its inaugural year.
Karl said: “TSG Marine has enhanced and brought out the best of my abilities by challenging me daily to do things differently, my knowledge, experience and skillset has been and continues to be developed on a daily basis. I make my own judgement calls, sit and discuss things at all levels and make sound decisions for the benefit of both the company and its staff.
“I think it is important that companies allow service/ex-service personnel to strive for excellence and assist in the personal growth and decision making of each employee as we all have our own unique approach, and I believe the culture and behaviours required of an individual within TSG Marine sets us apart from other companies.”
The Gold Award is the highest accolade given to employers who demonstrate forces-friendly credentials through a rigorous application process, adjusting human resources policies to allow flexibility for reservists and supporting individuals transitioning out of the armed forces into a new career.
Erika added: “The support we have received as a business from the council over the years in helping us to grow and continually support those from the Armed Forces has been second to none. It’s reassuring to know that the Invest South Tyneside team are always on hand to help and proactively look out for us.”
The Armed Forces Covenant, Employer Recognition Scheme Awards are due to be presented on Tuesday 12th November 2019 at the National Army Museum in London.
To find out more about TSG Marine visit, www.tsgmarine.co.uk
