Today, Google has been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, the highest level of recognition the UK Government can bestow on an employer. This scheme encourages companies to be a ‘Forces friendly’ organisation and inspire others to do the same — with gold, silver and bronze levels signalling the different levels of commitment.

This award follows on from Google´s re-signing of the Armed Forces Covenant in July 2023. The covenant is a promise by the nation that those who serve or have served – alongside their families – are treated fairly — especially when it comes to public services like healthcare, education and housing. Google has been a staunch supporter of the covenant since it was first signed in 2015.

For me, a serving reservist who is employed by Google, it means being understood and supported by my employer — being able to thrive at work whilst having the confidence that my employer will support me and my family when I am serving or deployed in my military role.

Google supports reservists in many ways and has set a high bar across industry with their supportive policies and commitments. I am extremely grateful and proud of this. My manager, the team I work with, the Google Veterans Network and many others who are unknown to me have expressed their support for my work and offered to help both practically, administratively and emotionally whilst I have been on deployed operations. One example of this was when I deployed in HMS Queen Elizabeth, one of the UK’s aircraft carriers on her inaugural global deployment where I embarked to help manage and operate aviation operations.

All this is a continuation of Google’s wider commitment to championing Googlers from all backgrounds and experiences.

A key policy at Google is offering up to 20 days of paid leave for military Reservists, which is an industry leading endorsement of Google’s commitment to the covenant.Google’s Veterans Network has organised numerous outreach events for over 300 serving personnel transitioning into civilian employment and shared technology skills, training and qualifications whilst other Googlers have advised and supported other businesses seeking to improve their support for the armed forces community.

For those, like myself, who continue to serve this country, Google’s commitment to working with the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces to build an inclusive environment means a huge amount. It is a formal endorsement of the culture, policy and daily activity that supports the wider security effort to ensure a safe and secure environment for us all to enjoy.