Leyland Trucks awarded Gold for outstanding support of the Armed Forces community

The achievement marks the latest milestone in the Lancashire manufacturer's Armed Forces Covenant journey, following Bronze recognition in 2024 and Silver in 2025, and recognises years of sustained commitment to supporting serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families.

The award comes as Leyland Trucks celebrates 130 years of manufacturing in Lancashire. Throughout its history, the business has played an important role in supporting the UK's defence capability – from producing thousands of military vehicles during the First World War and Second World War, to today's investment in veterans, reservists and the wider Armed Forces community.

For Leyland Trucks, supporting the Armed Forces is about far more than corporate responsibility. The business recognises that the leadership, technical expertise, resilience and teamwork developed through military service are invaluable within modern advanced manufacturing, helping strengthen both its workforce and the wider UK automotive sector.

The Gold Award recognises employers that go above and beyond their Armed Forces Covenant commitments, embedding support for the Armed Forces community throughout their organisation while actively encouraging others to do the same.

At Leyland Trucks, that commitment extends across recruitment, employment, skills development, community engagement and advocacy.

The business provides two weeks' additional paid leave for reservists to complete annual training, flexible working arrangements for military families and dedicated volunteering opportunities for employees supporting cadet organisations. It has also established an internal Military Network, creating a community where cadets, veterans, reservists and military families can connect, share experiences and shape how the business continues to strengthen its support.

Beyond its own workforce, Leyland Trucks actively works with military organisations, colleges and local cadet groups, hosting reservist recruitment events, site visits and careers activities while encouraging customers, suppliers and partners to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and strengthen support across the wider manufacturing supply chain.

Recent initiatives include donating a field test DAF truck to Cornwall College, where it is now used by Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers personnel to train on the latest generation of commercial vehicles. Elsewhere, the company's Prototype team repaired Trinity Class rowing boats for Chorley Sea Cadets, enabling cadets to return to the water ahead of the boating season.

The business also marks key moments throughout the Armed Forces calendar, including Armed Forces Week, Reservists' Day, VE Day and Remembrance Day, ensuring the contribution of serving personnel, veterans and military families remains visible both within the business and across the local community.

Phil Jones, Managing Director of Leyland Trucks, said: "Supporting the Armed Forces community isn't something we do to win awards. We do it because it's the right thing to do, and because the qualities developed through military service make our business stronger.

"Gold recognises a commitment that's been built over many years and reflects the passion of colleagues across Leyland Trucks who have continually looked for new ways to support serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families.

"As we celebrate 130 years of truck manufacturing, we're incredibly proud of our long-standing connection with the Armed Forces community. From building military vehicles to supporting veterans and reservists today, it's a relationship that's part of who we are. While achieving Gold is a fantastic milestone, it certainly isn't the finish line, and we'll continue looking for new ways to strengthen that support in the years ahead."