A Cheshire-based employer has been awarded under the government’s Employer Recognition Scheme for support to the Armed Forces community.

Jigsaw Medical Ltd, based in Tarporley, received a silver award for their support to reservists, service leavers, wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, the cadet organisations and service families.

The awards, signed by the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff, are recognised as laudatory honours and aim to encourage employers to support Defence and inspire others to do the same.

The certificates were presented by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Greater Manchester Warren Smith during the annual Armed Forces Business Awards held at the Monastery, Gorton.

Founded in 2012 by Chris Percival, Jigsaw Medical offers a range of services for the commercial, media, events sectors across the world and the NHS.

The company is divided into three entities; the Clinical Services Division, Training Division, and the Specialist Projects Division.

They are committed to delivering clinically focused and harmonised solutions to both NHS and private clients across the globe.

The Clinical Services Division specialises in providing ambulance services, event medical cover, and TV/film unit medics whilst the Training Division provides first aid training courses and clinical education.

The Special Projects Division provides specific medical training, tactical medicine and medical staff for hostile and remote environments worldwide.

Regional employer engagement director for Ministry of Defence in North West England lieutenant colonel Steven Wotherspoon said: “On behalf of the Ministry of Defence we are honoured to be able to recognise the level of support and commitment given to the Armed Forces by organisations in the region.

"Each recipient has demonstrated not only that they value the ethos of the Armed Forces but also that they are prepared to help Reservists, former servicemen and women and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers in the workplace.

"The experiences gained through service with the Reserve Forces or volunteering with the Cadet organisations equip individuals with invaluable life skills – motivation, self- discipline, confidence, communication, teamwork and leadership – all of which make a positive contribution to any organisation.”

Head of special projects at Jigsaw Medical Ltd Phil Webster said: “As a former member of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces the employment support of our ex-serviceman is at the forefront of my division, and one of the key reasons I chose to work with, and am proud to work for Jigsaw.

“Many of the Special Projects assignments in the hostile and remote arena require the skill-sets of paramedics which were borne out of their service with the military. These skills could never be taught effectively in short timeframes to otherwise experienced paramedics. These operators have proved to be an invaluable asset to both the division and the company as a whole.”

Reservists in the North West of England serve in the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal Marines Reserve, the Army Reserve and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. They can be mobilized wherever they are needed to work alongside Regular Armed Forces, and are trained to the same high standard as their regular counterparts.

For more information about the Reserve Forces and the Cadets, visit www.nwrfca.mod.uk.