Lord Combustion Services collect silver award for Armed Forces work support

26 Sep 2022

Published in: Member News

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Leading commercial heating and ventilation specialists Lord Combustion Services have been presented with a revalidated award for helping Armed Forces personnel in the workplace.

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As the company celebrates its 40th anniversary, Oldbury-based Lord Combustion Services were recognised at a ceremony held last Wednesday (Sept 21) for helping members of the Armed Forces community access employment opportunities, including Reservists, veterans, spouses, Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers and cadets.

Lord received their Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award from the West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire.

Managing Director Stuart Smith collected the award from Air Commander Gavin Hellard CBE VR and Colonel Paul Gilby OBE, alongside 23 other organisations from the West Midlands region to be named ERS Silver Award winners for 2022.

A further eight employers including Lord had their Silver Awards from 2017 revalidated for their continued commitment. To receive the accolade, award holders have to demonstrate set positive recruitment and employment measures and policies in their organisations which actively support members of the Armed Forces community.

Tremendous pride

Stuart Smith said: “We are tremendously proud to have our work recognised given our longstanding commitment to helping those who have given service to our country.

"With the ceremony taking place two days after the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, it felt all the more poignant given her longstanding bond with the Armed Forces.

“We understand the vital work which businesses can do to help military personnel with work placements when they leave uniform to continue their working careers. Any business looking to give back should consider the ERS to help services personnel.”

Launched in March 1982, the Lord team of nearly 50 staff serve more than 1000 customers across the West Midlands including NHS sites, schools and Edgbaston cricket ground.

Operating from its base in Dudley Road East, Oldbury, Lord signed up to the West Midlands Net Zero Pledge after being visited by Mayor Andy Street in April.

After winning three awards last November, Lord are in the running for the Black Country Chamber of Commerce awards for Excellence in Manufacturing and Engineering and Family Business of the Year, with Stuart Smith up for Business Person of the year, the winners of which will be announced next month.

Lord Combustion Services has gone from originally being a mechanical contractor specialising in service and commissioning of gas and oil-fired equipment to offer all mechanical and electrical building