Powys County Council has been recognised for its support of the Armed Forces community after receiving a prestigious national award.

The council has been awarded the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award 2026, the highest level of recognition given to employers that support serving personnel, veterans, reservists and their families.

Powys is one of only eight employers in Wales and 162 across the UK to receive the award this year.

To achieve Gold Award status, employers must demonstrate a long-term commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community, including providing policies that help reservists balance their military and civilian roles, supporting service families and actively promoting the Armed Forces Covenant.

Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Powys County Council’s Deputy Leader and Armed Forces Champion, said the award reflected the council’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces.

He said: “We are incredibly proud that Powys County Council has been awarded the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.

“It reflects our longstanding commitment to supporting serving personnel, veterans, reservists and military families within our workforce and communities.

“As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, we recognise the valuable skills, experience and dedication that members of the Armed Forces community bring to the workplace.”

The council said it remained committed to creating an environment where members of the Armed Forces community could thrive.

The Employer Recognition Scheme celebrates organisations that go beyond their Armed Forces Covenant commitments by embedding forces-friendly policies and creating workplaces where veterans, reservists, military families and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers are supported.

Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin Bailey MBE MP, said: “For a veteran starting a new chapter, or a reservist balancing two demanding roles, having an employer in your corner makes an enormous difference.”

The award was also received by seven other Welsh organisations, including Powys Teaching Health Board.