How we are supporting the Armed Forces Community
The MOD’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award represents the highest badge of honour available to those that employ and support our military community, from serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families.
For multiple years, we have retained our Gold Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Award.
This achievement underscores our unwavering commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community, aligning with the values of the Armed Forces Covenant, and inspiring others to do the same.
To receive the Gold Award—the highest level of recognition—is a testament to our dedication to fostering a culture that honours and values those who serve or have served our country.
We’re excited to continue growing as a company while creating opportunities for veterans to bring their military expertise to impactful roles in civilian life.
Our Commitment and Initiatives at CDS DS
Here at CDS DS we have a long-standing relationship with the military community, with over 50% of our workforce coming from a military background.
Our commitment is rooted in fostering a supportive environment and culture for reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers; and as such we provide 10 additional days of paid leave to both groups for training purposes. Furthermore, we have a comprehensive system to ensure employees who are spouses to serving personnel, together with reservists and their families, receive support during postings and deployments.
This commitment to the wellbeing of our military workforce is highlighted further by our support of the Armed Forces charity SSAFA and the appointment of two Mental Health First Aiders at our offices in Cheltenham and Bristol.
We have worked with the Armed Forces, providing equipment support and high-level training, for more than 35 years. Our growth and reputation in the industry has only been possible due to the military heritage and the diversity of our teams here. The skills of service leavers and reservists are deeply embedded into the different disciplines within CDS DS, from Support Engineering to DSAT compliant training. We remain committed to our Gold Award pledge which, for us, shows that employing personnel from the Armed Forces community isn’t just good for business, it is the backbone of our business.
Richard Bradley
CDS DS Managing Director
Contributions
Kev Pinder had a 34-year career in the RAF, starting as an electronics technician and later becoming an Engineering Officer. He served in various locations, including the Falkland Islands, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In 2015, he left the RAF to join CDS DS in Cyprus after working in an MOD intelligence policy job. Kev is an experienced engineering and project manager, specialising in leading large and complex teams. He currently heads the Operational Support business unit, which has grown significantly and now consists of 55 individuals embedded with the MoD, providing direct services for critical strategic outputs.
Kev Pinder
RAF Veteran
I am proud to have served for over 22 years as a soldier and officer, and I believe that my journey wouldn't be possible without the British Army. At CDS DS, we take great pride in employing a significant number of veterans and reservists. We recognise the valuable transferable skills they bring, allowing us to collaborate closely with our clients in the defence sector, understanding the complexities of defence operations. I am proud to work for CDS DS, as they value not just me but all those who have served, understanding the true value that veterans offer.
Colin Steers
British Army Veteran - Head of Training