UK DOCKS has been formally presented with its Armed Forces’ Silver Award in recognition of its continuing efforts to support ex-military personnel.
The company has previously earned an Armed Forces Bronze Award and is delighted to have built on that achievement to the point where a Silver has now been given to UK Docks.
Members of the senior management team attended a presentation ceremony at the Ramside Hall Hotel on the edge of Durham on behalf of UK Docks to receive the Award.
UK Docks’ Jonathan Wilson, Gary Wilson and Stephen Lee receive the Armed Forces’ Silver Award on behalf of the company.
And they were joined by fellow winners of the award on a night when senior members of the military thanked companies for their participation in a scheme which allows former military personnel a clear transition into jobs and careers outside of the armed services.
UK Docks has now earned a Silver Award to go witht
Explaining to fellow guests, the UK Docks Silver award, The master of ceremonies gave the following citation to guests on the night to explain what the company does and how it has sought to support the armed forces.
“UK Docks Marine Services is a family run maritime support business based in South Shields but with a global reach.
“Since 1992 they have built an excellent reputation for their delivery across a wide range of maritime repair and conversion work in the offshore and defence arenas, delivering from across five sites both in the North East and on the South coast.
“With their HQ centred on the River Tyne they are very much part of the community and no more so than the Defence community.
“They are proud employers of 15 Veterans as well as several Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Reservists.
“These personal links to the Armed Forces is the silver thread which runs through to this well-deserved award.
“Their enduring commitment to the local Sea Cadets at TS Collingwood is an exemplar for all; Christmas parties, cadet bursaries and sail training for those most in need, is just some of what they do.
“They are also selfless in their support of local charities including Veterans in Crisis which operates in Sunderland.
“Following their signing of the Armed Forces Covenant in 2018 and their award of Bronze in 2022, this Silver Award is justly achieved this year. Many congratulations!”
UK Docks managing director, Jonathan Wilson, said: “The Award is for everyone at UK Docks who has been involved in extending and improving our offer to former armed forces personnel.
“The company has always had strong links to former members of the Armed Forces, recognising the expertise and personal qualities they bring to UK Docks both in our sites around the country and also in our work abroad.
“We take great pride in the contracts we have with the Ministry of Defence, including the servicing and maintaining of the Royal Navy’s five Batch 2 vessels - HMS’s Tamar, Trent, Medway, Spey and Forth - and the icebreaker HMS Protector, across the world.
“But closer to home we focus on supporting organisations close to the armed forces and prioritise the employment of ex-service personnel who have contributed greatly to the company’s growth and success in the past few decades.”