Exeter based security firm Marsh Barton Security Services (MBSS) has gained the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award. It goes to organisations for support and commitment towards UK Defence and members of the armed forces including reservists. Pictured left to right are Lieutenant Colonel Tom Harper MBE, Commanding Officer 6 Rifles presenting the bronze award to MBSS Managing Director, Marcus Di-Vincenzo.
The Employer Recognition Scheme, set up in 2014, rewards UK employer organisations which support the Armed Forces Covenant, the public, voluntary pledge. MBSS is one of three Exeter based businesses to have achieved bronze, and the firm has committed to ongoing support of the armed forces and reservists.
Managing Director of MBSS and Ex-Royal Marine, Marcus Di-Vincenzo said: “I wholeheartedly support the Armed Forces community and am therefore very proud to have been recognised with this award. We have several Reservists in our team and having been in the Royal Marines, I would actively encourage my work force to consider signing up. Our next aim is to go for the Silver Award to demonstrate our ongoing commitment, which we hope to do later this year.”
The Employer Recognition Scheme has seen 500 nominations from reservists across the armed forces. The Ministry of Defence scheme is run by SaBRE, Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers, an MoD campaign set up in 2002. For all the businesses with such awards, visit https://ers.sabre.mod.uk/.
Julian Brazier, Conservative MP for Canterbury and Minister for Reserves said: “I am delighted with the positive response to the Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme, launched by the Prime Minister in 2014. I am very happy that MBSS were awarded Bronze at Wyvern Barracks on January 19 in recognition of the high levels of commitment demonstrated towards Defence personnel. Their commitment and support towards Defence brings many opportunities for strong mutual benefits and we look forward to recognising many more employers in future.”
Jon Beake, Regional SaBRE Campaign Director at Wessex Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association said: “The interest in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme demonstrates the high levels of employer support towards Defence personnel, including Reservists, Armed Forces Veterans and their families, and Cadets. We value the commitment and support of MBSS here in Exeter and are keen to work with them, and other employers, to build further support for mutual benefit and look forward to recognising them with the Silver or Gold level Awards in 2015”
Wessex Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association is a community-based regional organisation which has a statutory remit to advise the Defence Council on Reservist issues, independent of the Ministry of Defence.
The association promotes Reserve Forces and Cadets in the South West of England to facilitate better dialogue and understanding between military and civilian communities.
MBSS is a full service security firm that has been trading for over 30 years. The company was bought in May 2012 by Marcus Di-Vincenzo who lives locally, and already owns and runs a security company, MIG Security, which offers personal security services for high profile, high net-worth people and event security.
