Armed Forces

11 09 2026

Building Futures: Connecting with the Armed Forces Community at the CTP Salford Employment Fair

Attending industry and recruitment events always offers a meaningful opportunity to look toward the future. Recently, members of the GVA team attended the CTP Salford Employment Fair at the CorpAcq Stadium, and it proved to be an inspiring and exceptionally rewarding day for everyone.

Meeting the Forces Community

It was wonderful to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds across the armed forces. Throughout the event at Stand A16, our team spoke with many talented people, taking the time to listen to their experiences and learn about their aspirations for their onward careers as they transition out of military life.

Showcasing Careers in Our Sector

For service leavers looking for their next chapter, finding a purposeful environment that values hard work and adaptability is a major milestone. We enjoyed discussing what our sector has to offer, highlighting how careers at GVA—spanning specialised vegetation management, fencing, and critical work across the UK highway network—provide stable, hands-on, and dynamic pathways for transitioning service personnel.

Investing in Our People and Training Culture

A core theme of our conversations was GVA’s commitment to internal growth and operational excellence. Guided by our ethos of “Your Environment, Our Responsibility,” we shared how GVA actively invests in our workforce through comprehensive training, upskilling, and professional development. Because we operate in highly regulated environments—delivering fully accredited services across linear and highway assets—the discipline, leadership, and safety mindset fostered in the armed forces translate seamlessly into the skills we value and nurture within our teams.

In Great Company

GVA was proud to be in fantastic company alongside numerous other forward-thinking organisations in attendance. Every group there shared a unified commitment to supporting the armed forces community and helping veterans find sustainable, rewarding employment.

Looking Ahead

Events like this reinforce the immense value service leavers bring to our industry. Looking forward, we had fantastic discussions around GVA Training. Once we have been set up for 2 years (April 2027), we will reapply to become an ELCAS-approved training provider, enabling us to deliver accredited training to service leavers with the possibilities of future employment.

We look forward to the prospects of future employees with a forces background joining the GVA family as we continue shaping safer highways and greener spaces together.

04 08 2026

GVA Achieves Gold: Celebrating Two Years of Supporting the Armed Forces Community

Armed Forces, Awards

We are proud and delighted to announce that GVA has been awarded the 2026 Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award. It’s the highest badge available under the Armed Forces Covenant, and reaching it just two years after joining the scheme is a fantastic achievement for the whole GVA team.

For Alan Gray, who has led GVA’s engagement with the Armed Forces community throughout this journey, the award is a milestone worth celebrating: “Two years ago we set ourselves the target of reaching Gold, and to hit that so early is a fantastic achievement. It’s a real credit to everyone who’s supported us along the way.”

Our journey to Gold

GVA signed the Armed Forces Covenant in August 2024, and from there the journey to Gold — via Silver along the way — has been steady, deliberate, and built on genuine engagement. What started as a single team member with a military background has grown into a group of three veterans within the business, each bringing the discipline, reliability, and rounded experience that a military career builds.

Here’s how the last two years have unfolded:

August 2024

• Signed the Armed Forces Covenant
2025

• January — Silver workshop and expressed interest
• February — Cadet Careers Fair
• March — Updated CFAV mobilisation policy
• June — Notified of Silver Award
• July — Workshop: veterans with convictions
• August — Hull 4 Heroes careers fair
• October — Silver Awards dinner
2026

• January — ERS Gold workshop
• February — Yorkshire Cadet Fair and Cadet Trust donation
• March — Great Tommy Sleepout, Defib donation, Gold submission
July 2026

• Awarded the Defence ERS Gold Award

Becoming part of the wider Yorkshire Armed Forces Covenant community has been just as important as the milestones themselves. Getting to know other organisations working towards the same goals, and building relationships with our Defence Relationship Managers, Pauline King and Richard Lenton, has helped GVA mature into a genuine advocate for the Armed Forces community rather than simply a signatory to the Covenant. It’s been a grassroots effort throughout — supporting organisations and individuals who are themselves doing brilliant work at a local level to help veterans reintegrate into civilian life.

What Gold means to GVA

Being part of the Armed Forces Covenant, and now holding its highest recognition, reflects something personal for many at GVA. As Alan puts it, it’s about “providing support and recognition that the company is Armed Forces community friendly” — something that matters deeply to those who have served. Having left the structure and camaraderie of the Armed Forces, finding that same sense of family within GVA has been a welcome and important part of the transition to civilian working life.

Celebrating with the wider community

GVA will celebrate this achievement alongside the North of England Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) at the 2026 ERS Gold Awards Ceremony and Lunch, taking place on Saturday, 14th November 2026 at the Hospitium, York. The event is timed to coincide with the Royal Gun Salute for His Majesty King Charles III in the Museum Gardens, York, and certificates will be presented by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire alongside a senior military representative.

It follows a busy few months of engagement with the wider Armed Forces community, including an invitation to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with the Yorkshire community in September, and builds on the relationships GVA has formed since joining the Covenant.

What’s next for GVA

Gold isn’t the end of the journey — if anything, it opens the door to doing more. Over the coming months and years, GVA plans to:

Attend the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) Careers Day in Salford on 11th September, engaging with service personnel preparing to leave the Armed Forces, with a particular focus on recruiting skilled tradespeople such as mechanics.
Apply to feature on the CTP’s training provider website once GVA’s training centre has been established for two years, from April 2027. This will allow service leavers, wherever they’re based, to access GVA’s courses using their Enhanced Learning Credits.
Build a training-to-employment pathway, offering courses ranging from strimming and hedge trimming to chainsaw operation and mechanised vegetation management equipment, with the opportunity for participants to progress into employment with GVA itself.

It’s a natural extension of everything GVA has built over the last two years: not just supporting the Armed Forces community from the outside, but creating real, practical routes into training and employment for those leaving service. If you’re a veteran, service leaver, or reservist looking for training or career opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.

29 04 2026

The Great Tommy Sleep Out: Capturing the Night

Armed Forces, Events, Fundraising, Social Value

Following the success of The Great Tommy Sleep Out, we are proud to share a short video and photographs capturing the spirit of the evening.

Held on St Patrick’s Day at GVA’s depot, the event brought together colleagues, partners, and veterans from across the National Highways community to raise awareness and funds in support of veterans facing homelessness.

The video reflects what made the night so meaningful. From the conversations and shared experiences to the quieter moments of reflection, it captures the sense of community that defined the event.

Together, the event raised an incredible £11,256, a testament to the generosity and commitment of everyone involved.

We would like to thank all those who attended, supported, and contributed to making the event such a success.

If you would like to support the cause, donations remain open and every contribution continues to make a difference.

Gallery

You can also read the full event write-up here:
https://gva-trees.com/the-great-tommy-sleep-out-community-camaraderie-and-cause/

19 03 2026

The Great Tommy Sleep Out – Community, Camaraderie, and Cause

Armed Forces, Events, Fundraising, Social Value

On St Patrick’s Day, under clear Yorkshire skies, colleagues, partners, and veterans came together for a memorable and meaningful evening at The Great Tommy Sleep Out.

Hosted at GVA’s depot, the event brought together attendees from National Highways and its wider supply chain, all united by a shared purpose to raise awareness and funds in support of veterans facing homelessness.

A Strong Start to a Special Evening

As guests arrived, they were welcomed into a well-organised and safely managed site, complete with clear wayfinding, designated parking, and staff on hand to guide vehicles and attendees throughout the evening. Safety and well-being remained a priority at every stage of the event.

The Halifax Armed Forces Veterans Association supported the event by setting up their field kitchen and mess tent, creating a warm and welcoming hub for food and refreshments.

To officially open the evening, GVA’s Training Coordinator, Andrew, erected the mast and raised the Great Tommy Sleep Out flag, marking the beginning of an event defined by community spirit and collaboration.

Collaboration Across the Supply Chain

This event was a true team effort, with support from across the National Highways network:

Crown Highways sponsored a hearty Irish stew, perfectly themed for the occasion
Caterpillar Catering prepared both the evening meal and breakfast
Just Desserts kindly donated desserts for attendees
Premier Traffic Management sponsored the breakfast
Garic supplied essential welfare facilities, including solar-powered toilets and showers
GVA hosted the event and ensured refreshments, including Guinness, were available

These contributions ensured attendees were well supported while still experiencing a meaningful insight into the challenges faced by those sleeping rough.

An Evening of Connection and Activity

With tents pitched and sleeping bags rolled out, attendees settled in for an evening that balanced reflection with engagement.

The night included delicious food, informal networking, and conversations between veterans and colleagues from across the industry. These discussions provided valuable insight into military service and the ongoing support available to veterans.

National Highways’ Steve Parker hosted the Tommy Sleep Out quiz, bringing energy, humour, and friendly competition to the evening. His involvement added a light-hearted touch to an otherwise reflective event.

Attendees also enjoyed interactive games supplied through National Highways, including a reaction and coordination challenge that tested speed and accuracy. The competition created a lively and engaging atmosphere, with GVA’s Luke Kendel taking the win.

The table football setup and erected bar helped create a welcoming space, affectionately named the Green Valley Arms, encouraging conversation, camaraderie, and a strong sense of community throughout the evening.

“It was very, very well organised — everything felt carefully planned, with sensible boundaries in place, and it all came together really smoothly as a fantastic all-round event.”

Andy Murray – HW Martin

Raising Awareness and Funds

The event raised around £7,000, with contributions from around ten organisations, and additional donations are still being added.

Beyond fundraising, the event successfully raised awareness of the realities faced by veterans who experience homelessness. Conversations throughout the evening created space for learning, understanding, and connection between those who have served and those supporting the cause.

For HSQE Manager Alan Gray, who helped organise the event, the experience carried personal meaning as well as professional pride. Being part of an initiative that brings together the supply chain in support of veterans was described as both impactful and rewarding.

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A Night Under the Stars

As the evening drew to a close, most attendees remained to fully take part in the sleepout experience. Tents and sleeping bags were set up across the site, creating a powerful visual reminder of the purpose behind the event.

The following morning, guests gathered for breakfast before packing away and returning to their day, sharing a sense of achievement and community.

“Apart from the snorers, it was perfect — a really enjoyable night overall.”

Anonymous – Halifax Armed Forces Veterans Association

Looking Ahead

The Great Tommy Sleep Out demonstrated the strength of collaboration across the National Highways community. Through careful planning, generous sponsorship, and shared commitment, the event successfully combined fundraising, awareness, and meaningful engagement.

With strong participation, valuable conversations, and thousands of pounds raised in support of veterans, the event stands as a testament to what can be achieved when organisations come together with purpose.

26 02 2026

Going for Gold – GVA’s Commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme

Armed Forces, Social Value

At GVA, we are proud to be part of a growing community of organisations supporting the Armed Forces. As a UK-based environmental services business established in 2015, specialising in vegetation management, arboriculture, ecology, and Biodiversity Net Gain, our ethos is built on collaboration, inclusivity, and personal development. Approximately 10% of our workforce is connected to the Armed Forces community, including veterans and service families, reflecting our ongoing commitment to support those who serve or have served.

Our values align closely with the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) and the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), and we are honoured to hold the ERS Silver Award. This recognition highlights our active efforts to champion forces-friendly policies, mentor partner organisations, and embed meaningful support for defence personnel across our business and supply chain.

Alan Gray – HSQE Manager (Left) & Luke Kendal – Director (right) receiving ERS Silver Award.

Advocacy, Mentoring, and Leadership

GVA actively promotes the Armed Forces Covenant as a flexible framework that enables organisations of all sizes to support serving personnel, reservists, veterans, cadets, and their families. We advocate progression through the ERS, helping organisations understand the requirements and practical ways to demonstrate impact at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels.

Our commitment extends beyond policy:

Offered ongoing mentoring to organisations, helping them progress toward ERS Silver.
Introduced SEF First Aid Assistance to the Covenant and ERS; they have now signed the Covenant and are progressing toward ERS Bronze and Silver.
Offer informal guidance, templates, and shared learning to partner organisations, reducing barriers to engagement.
Lead by example by embedding forces-friendly policies and encouraging local employers and suppliers to engage.

Through these activities, GVA demonstrates sector leadership, inspiring others to actively support the Armed Forces community.

The Great Tommy Sleep Out – March 2026

GVA is proud to host The Great Tommy Sleep Out, delivered in collaboration with the Northwest & Yorkshire Northeast Social Value communities. This high-profile event is more than a fundraising initiative—it is a platform to advocate for the Armed Forces Covenant and ERS engagement across our industry.

Key highlights include:

Centralised fundraising through a shared JustGiving community team, creating measurable outcomes in participation and funds raised.
Engaging a local Army Reserve unit to raise awareness and strengthen links between Reservists, employers, and industry.
Providing the venue, welfare facilities, logistics, and transport, ensuring maximum accessibility for all participants.
Supporting Royal British Veterans Enterprise, helping to raise awareness and funds for veterans facinghomelessness, unemployment, and social isolation.

The event has delivered tangible social impact while exemplifying GVA’s leadership and commitment to ERS Gold principles.

Josh Chilvers presenting Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) A W Pledger MBE, Deputy Chief Executive of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association Yorkshire & Humber, with a £500 donation.

Cadet and Veteran Support

GVA’s support for cadets and veterans is an essential part of our Gold-level aspirations:

Donated £500 to the Yorkshire Cadet Trust, providing flexible support for cadet activities across Yorkshire and Humber.
For the second consecutive year, participated in the Yorkshire Cadet Careers Fair at York College, engaging over 300 cadets and families to highlight career opportunities in environmental management.
Supported the Hull 4 Heroes Veteran Careers Fair 2025, celebrating successful programme completions and helping veterans and families transition into civilian employment.
Donated a brand-new, man-portable AED to Hard Hitters Veterans Hub, enhancing emergency preparedness and wellbeing support for the Armed Forces community across Wirral.

These activities demonstrate GVA’s practical commitment to nurturing talent and opportunities within the Armed Forces community.

Yorkshire Cadet Careers Fair at York College.

Alan Gray – HSQE Manager (right) donating defibrillator to Hard Hitters Veterans Hub, Luke Nevin – CEO (left).

Alan Gray – HSQE Manager (left) and Andrew Fletcher – GVA Lantra Corporate Training Instructor (right) at Veteran Careers Fair hosted by Hull 4 Heros.

Direct Support to Veterans

Our commitment extends to individual, values-led support:

Provided immediate, discreet, and funded accommodation for a veteran employee facing an unexpected housing crisis.
Coordinated engagement with local authorities and specialist Forces charities to ensure dignity, wellbeing, and continuity of employment.

This direct support reflects the real-world application of the Armed Forces Covenant and shows how GVA translates policy into meaningful action.

Looking Ahead – Going for Gold

Having achieved Silver status, GVA is now focused on achieving Gold Award recognition under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We are committed to:

Leading by example, advocating ERS and AFC to partner organisations, suppliers, and customers.
Supporting reservists through enhanced policies and additional paid leave.
Investing in cadets and veterans to improve outcomes, skills development, and career opportunities.
Delivering sector leadership and tangible social impact across our local and industry communities.

Through sustained advocacy, mentoring, and measurable action, GVA is proud to go for Gold—continuing to champion the Armed Forces community and setting a standard of excellence within our sector.

“The Army has played a significant role throughout my life, and I’m proud to have the support of GVA’s senior leadership to help drive our Forces-friendly commitments and give back to Armed Forces communities. Working alongside Defence Relationship Managers has introduced me to inspiring people and organisations who are genuinely committed to advocacy. My sincere thanks to Pauline and Richard for their continued support and for the outstanding work they do.”

Alan Gray – HSQE Manager, GVA

24 02 2026

GVA to Host Upcoming Great Tommy Sleep Out Event

Armed Forces, Events, Fundraising, Social Value

GVA is proud to host a regional Great Tommy Sleep Out event in collaboration with the Northwest & Yorkshire Northeast Social Value communities.

Event details:

Date: Tuesday, 17 March 2026
Location: GVA Depot, Far Turbury Farm, Clegg Lane, Greetland, Halifax, HX4 8PU

GVA invites supplier partners, local businesses, community groups and colleagues to take part, fundraise, and stand in solidarity with veterans who have served our country.

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Overview

The Great Tommy Sleep Out is Royal British Veterans Enterprise’s (RBVE) flagship national fundraising and awareness campaign, taking place throughout March 2026. During this month, individuals, community groups, and corporate teams across the UK spend one or more nights sleeping outdoors to raise funds and highlight the urgent issue of veteran homelessness.

The challenge symbolises the harsh realities hundreds of veterans face and helps fund vital services such as:

Emergency accommodation
Mental health support
Employment programmes
Community reintegration initiatives

RBVE (formerly RBLI) is a national charity with over a century of experience, empowering veterans and people with disabilities by creating meaningful work, providing homes, and building supportive communities across the UK.

Why It Matters

The Great Tommy Sleep Out 2026 raises awareness of veteran homelessness. It generates vital funding that enables RBVE to continue delivering life‑changing support — including safe homes, employment pathways and wellbeing services for veterans transitioning to civilian life.

Participants not only fundraise but also help start important conversations in workplaces and communities about the challenges facing ex‑service personnel.

Participants who sign up also receive:

Branded beanies
Fundraising materials

These items unite participants with a nationwide community dedicated to improving outcomes for veterans.

Aligning with GVA’s ERS Gold Commitment

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), led by the UK Ministry of Defence, recognises organisations that demonstrate outstanding support to the Armed Forces community — including veterans, reservists, cadet force volunteers and their families.

The Gold Award, the highest level of ERS recognition, requires:

Sustained and proactive support for defence communities
Internal policies that assist Armed Forces personnel
Advocacy and leadership within wider business networks

Hosting The Great Tommy Sleep Out reinforces GVA’s ERS Gold commitment by:

Championing veteran welfare and homelessness awareness through a high‑impact fundraising event
Engaging suppliers, partners and communities in collective social impact
Demonstrating active support for Armed Forces values beyond formal employment policies
Strengthening GVA’s profile as a socially responsible, forces‑friendly organisation

This event also supports measurable social value outcomes, a key strand of GVA’s social value commitments, highlighting the role employers can play through meaningful community engagement.

How to Get Involved

Individuals, teams and organisations are encouraged to:

Donate or support fundraisers
Take part in the Sleep Out
Share the campaign across networks
Raise awareness within the industry and local communities
Promote the event through social value and Armed Forces networks

For more information, visit: https://rbve.org.uk/events/the-great-tommy-sleep-out/

Donate: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alan-gray-1768569628

Yorkshire-Cadet-Careers-Fair-2026-Header

09 02 2026

GVA Showcase at Yorkshire Cadet Careers Fair 2026

Armed Forces, Community Engagement, Events, Social Value

GVA was proud to attend the Yorkshire Cadet Careers Fair, held at York College & University Centre on Saturday 7 February 2026 to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week. The event brought together Sea Cadets, Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force members aged 15½–18, alongside instructors, parents and employers committed to supporting the next generation into meaningful careers.

The fair provided a valuable platform for young people to explore employment pathways, work experience and apprenticeship opportunities beyond secondary education. For GVA, it was an opportunity to showcase the breadth of roles available within land-based industries and to reinforce our ongoing support for the Armed Forces community.

As one of the few organisations allocated both indoor and outdoor exhibition space, we delivered a hands-on, engaging presence throughout the event. Our team demonstrated a new electric panel van fully equipped with electric hand tools, alongside an electric robotic mower, highlighting how innovation and sustainability are shaping the future of vegetation management, ecology and environmental services. These practical demonstrations sparked conversations with cadets about modern career pathways, emerging technologies and the real-world skills required to work safely and responsibly in our sector.

Across the morning, we engaged with cadets, instructors and members of the wider Armed Forces community from across Yorkshire, the Humber and North East Lincolnshire. Discussions focused on apprenticeships, career progression and the transferable life skills cadets develop — teamwork, resilience, leadership and discipline — all of which align strongly with the demands of land-based industries and environmental infrastructure work.

The event also enabled GVA to strengthen relationships within the Armed Forces Covenant network, connect with partner organisations and reinforce our commitment to supporting service personnel, veterans and cadets through employment and skills development opportunities. Supporting pathways into industry is central to our social value approach and our ambition to mature our commitment towards the Gold Covenant Award.

A key moment during the event saw Josh Chilvers present Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) A W Pledger MBE, Deputy Chief Executive of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association Yorkshire & Humber, with a £500 donation to the Yorkshire Cadet Trust on behalf of GVA. The contribution reflects our ongoing support for initiatives that empower young people and invest in future talent.

“The Yorkshire Cadet Careers Fair was a well-run and engaging event, and this being our second year attending, it was great to see how much it has grown, with increased numbers of cadets and organisations in attendance. It provided an excellent opportunity to interact with cadets, cadet leaders and members of the wider Armed Forces community from across the region.”

Alan Gray – HSQE Manager, GVA

Our involvement in the Yorkshire Cadet Careers Fair directly supports our wider purpose: encouraging people into a rewarding industry that balances safety, environmental stewardship and innovation. By engaging with cadets at an early stage, we can help expand awareness of land-based careers, open doors to apprenticeships and demonstrate how vegetation management, ecology and environmental services contribute to safer infrastructure and a more sustainable future.

At GVA, we believe social value is created through practical action — sharing knowledge, supporting communities and creating pathways into employment. Events like the Yorkshire Cadet Careers Fair allow us to do exactly that: connect, inspire and help shape the next generation of skilled professionals who will care for our landscapes and infrastructure for years to come.

Armed-Forces-Covenant-Employer-Recognition-Scheme-Awards

03 10 2025

Silver Award – Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme

Armed Forces, Events

Last night, we were proud to attend the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Awards at York Racecourse, where GVA was formally presented with the Silver Award. This achievement highlights our ongoing commitment to supporting the armed forces community, both within our business and beyond.

“We are immensely proud to receive the Silver Award for the Armed Forces Covenant. This recognition is a testament to GVA’s dedication, hard work, and passion for supporting our armed forces community. This initiative has been heavily driven by our HSQE manager Alan Gray, After serving 11 years in the military before joining the team, Alan has been the driving force behind our commitment to those who serve and have served. As a business, we are honoured to stand alongside the armed forces and will continue to do all we can to support them and their families.” Luke Kendall – Director

“It was a fantastic evening at York Racecourse, networking with members of the Armed Forces community and fellow Silver Award winners. We remain committed to supporting the Armed Forces and will now focus on working towards achieving the Gold Award in the near future.” Alan Gray – HSQE Manager

Receiving the Silver Award is a proud achievement, and we are excited to build on this success as we set our sights on achieving the Gold Award.

05 08 2025

GVA take part in the Veteran Careers Fair hosted by Hull 4 Heroes

Armed Forces, Community Engagement, Events

Last week, GVA was proud to take part in the Veteran Careers Fair hosted by Hull 4 Heroes, alongside 23 other brilliant local organisations.
The event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with members of the Armed Forces Community including veterans, spouses, and family members, and celebrate their achievements.

A key highlight was recognising 10 individuals who successfully completed the Veteran Career Transition Accelerator Program, earning their Level 3 CMI Certificate in Professional Development. This milestone marks an exciting step toward new career opportunities and future aspirations, whatever path they choose next.

Huge thanks to Hull 4 Heroes for hosting such an inspiring and impactful event, we’re honoured to be part of this important journey.