Achieving the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award is a proud moment for everyone at Paragon Traffic Management, but for us, it is about far more than recognition alone.
It reflects the work being done across the business to support the Armed Forces community through inclusive recruitment, workplace support and meaningful opportunities for career development. More importantly, it reflects the values behind that commitment and the type of business we want Paragon to be.
Our Head of Talent Acquisition and Social Value, Shirley Young, has been a driving force behind this work. In her words:
There are some achievements that make you stop and reflect, and for me, being awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award is definitely one of them.
I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved at Paragon Traffic Management, but even prouder of what this award represents.
Supporting the Armed Forces community has never been about winning awards or ticking boxes. It’s about recognising the incredible people behind the uniform and creating opportunities for them to build rewarding careers after service.
I’ve had the privilege of meeting many veterans over the years, and every conversation reinforces just how much they have to offer. They bring resilience, integrity, teamwork, leadership and a commitment to doing things the right way. They know what it means to work under pressure, to look after the people around them and to put safety first. These qualities fit perfectly with our culture at Paragon.
That is exactly why this award matters so much to us. It recognises a commitment that is already deeply woven into how we think about people, opportunity and support across the business.
As Shirley explains:
That’s why we’re committed to giving veterans every opportunity to succeed. We guarantee an interview to veterans and members of the Armed Forces community who meet our minimum criteria because we believe they deserve the chance to demonstrate what they can bring. Sometimes all someone needs is that opportunity, and we’re proud to be able to provide it.
Our support doesn’t stop with recruitment.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that we’ve chosen the Royal British Veterans Enterprise (RBVE) as one of our four charity partners. The work they do supporting veterans and their families is truly inspiring, and it’s a privilege for us to play a small part in helping them continue that incredible work. Whether it’s fundraising, raising awareness or building new partnerships, we’re committed to giving something back to those who have given so much.
For us, that wider support is an important part of the picture. Supporting the Armed Forces community is not only about employment. It is also about awareness, partnership, visibility and making sure that support continues beyond the workplace too.
That thinking sits naturally alongside the wider social value approach we are building at Paragon.
For me, this is all part of who we are at Paragon.
We’re passionate about creating opportunities for people from all walks of life. Whether that’s supporting veterans, apprentices, T-Level students, women entering our industry or people looking for a second chance, we believe talent comes from every background. It’s our job to help people recognise their potential and give them the opportunity to succeed.
That broader commitment to opportunity is a huge part of why this recognition feels so meaningful. It reflects not only what has been achieved so far, but also where we want to go next.
Although I’m incredibly proud that we’ve achieved the Silver Award, I already have my sights firmly set on Gold.
Not because I want another certificate on the wall, but because I want us to keep raising the bar. I want Paragon to become one of the UK’s leading employers for the Armed Forces community—a place where veterans, reservists and military families know they’ll be welcomed, supported and valued.
Over the next year, we’ll continue strengthening our partnerships with Armed Forces organisations, attending veteran recruitment events, creating more employment opportunities and embedding our commitment even further into everything we do.
Watching our business embrace this commitment has been one of the most rewarding parts of my role. Every veteran who joins us brings a wealth of experience, a unique perspective and a mindset that makes our business stronger.
Receiving the Silver Award is something I’ll always be proud of.
But I know this is only the beginning.
Here’s to continuing our journey, supporting those who have served, and working towards Armed Forces Covenant Gold together.
Because when we invest in great people, everybody wins.
For Paragon, that is exactly what this award represents. A proud milestone, an important reflection of our values, and another step forward in building a business where people from the Armed Forces community know they will be respected, supported and given the chance to succeed.
#SafetyByChoiceNotByChance