Last week (28 April), Forth Ports was presented with an Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze Award aboard one of two tall ships, crewed by a rotating team of 70 serving and former Armed Forces personnel and hosted by the Port of Leith as part of the Full Circle sailing expedition.

Back in March, Forth Ports began its journey as an official Forces-friendly employer by signing the Armed Forces Covenant during a visit aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth in Rosyth, pledging a comprehensive package of support for serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families.

Michelle Primrose, Chief People Officer and Chris Monteith, Asset Manager, Port of Leith received the Award from Commander Mark Fitzsimmons, Chief of Staff to Naval Regional Commander Brigadier Andy Muddiman from the bow of Pellew.

Coordinated by Lowland RFCA’s Defence Relationship Manager Duncan Evans, representatives from Forth Ports were welcomed aboard by the crew and veterans. At the same time, some of our Operations and Engineering Apprentices joined the crew and veterans aboard Spirit of Falmouth to help with routine maintenance.

Commenting on the event, Commander Mark Fitzsimmons, Chief of Staff to Naval Regional Commander Brigadier Andy Muddiman, said: ‘‘Having only taken up this role within the past few weeks, I’m delighted to have the superb opportunity of presenting this award on behalf of Brigadier Muddiman to Forth Ports. Everything that the staff have told me this morning has already assured me that the support this organisation provides to the Royal Navy and the wider Armed Forces is nothing short of exceptional, and that this award is very well-deserved.”

Commenting on the Award, Michelle Primrose, Chief People Officer, said: “I am incredibly proud that Forth Ports has achieved the Bronze Award under the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme. This recognition demonstrates our commitment to supporting members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families. At the core of our organisation is a genuine dedication to our people and the communities we serve, ensuring we continue to be a truly supportive employer. I am sincerely grateful to all our colleagues who have contributed to this achievement and who live our values every day.”

Turn to Starboard and Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 launched Full Circle, a 12-week, 2,000-nautical-mile circumnavigation of the UK by two tall ships carrying the Invictus Games Flag around the UK ahead of Birmingham 2027. Two traditionally rigged tall ships – Pellew and Spirit of Falmouth – are undertaking the journey, calling at 22 ports across all four nations. The voyage will carry the inspirational message of the Games through the Invictus flag as it is carried from Vancouver, Canada to the UK to join the Full Circle team’s expedition, marking a year to the games commencing in Birmingham. The epic adventure began on 17 March 2026, departing from Falmouth and travelling anticlockwise around the UK before returning to Falmouth on 11 June 2026. The journey will build momentum ahead of the official one-year-to-go until Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 event in July 2026. The voyage will highlight the work that Turn to Starboard do using sailing as non-clinical therapeutic adventure as part of a veteran recovery journey. Click the link below to join the fundraising campaign to purchase Pellew: https://fullcircle.turntostarboard.co.uk/

Forth Ports extends its sincere thanks to Lowland RFCA, Turn to Starboard, and the Ship’s Company of Pellew and Spirit of Falmouth for their generous hospitality and for playing such a key role in delivering a truly memorable event.