13th July 2023, by Parkdean Resorts

Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s leading holiday park operator, has reinforced its dedication to armed services personnel, veterans and their families by achieving an esteemed Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, after achieving the Silver Award in 2021.

The gold award is the highest accolade a company can receive in the scheme, and is designed to recognise employers who are exemplar in their sector.

Parkdean Resorts values the transferable skills, experience and dedication that veterans can offer, and is committed to ensuring the Armed Forces community receive fair treatment and employment opportunities following their service.

Engaging with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) and Forces Families Jobs (FFJ), and through partnerships with military charities, Only a Pavement Away, and Walking with the Wounded, Parkdean Resorts aims to help veterans build meaningful careers. The company is working with the charities to find employment opportunities at its parks for veterans looking for work, as well as funding development opportunities and qualifications, such as chef apprenticeships. Parkdean Resorts also offers Reservist and Cadet Force adult volunteers additional paid leave.

Parkdean Resorts’ mission is to lead the way in hospitality as an alternative sustainable career for the military community and their families, and to create a positive footprint in supporting the Armed Forces who will protect future generations.

Kerry Turnbull-Murphy, Head of People Services at Parkdean Resorts, said: “Attracting ex Armed Forces personnel to join our teams and thanking them and their families for their service is one of our key people commitments, so we are immensely proud to be receiving this Gold certification from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We have huge respect for the work our military forces do and the sacrifices they make, so we’re delighted to be able to give back to them through our forces-friendly recruitment, training opportunities and charitable endeavours.”

Through partnerships with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, the Army Central Fund and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, Parkdean Resorts gifts free holidays to hundreds of military personnel and their families every year. Throughout 2023 the award-winning holiday park operator will donate 188 free holidays at 21 parks to members of the armed forces community, helping them to rest and recuperate while spending valuable time with their families.