Citrus facilities management awarded silver in 2026 Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

Citrus Facilities Management has become one of just 331 organisations across the UK to be awarded silver in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme for 2026.

The scheme exists to acknowledge and celebrate organisations that demonstrate or advocate a high level of support for the defence and armed forces community.

Whether awarded bronze, silver or gold, organisations must demonstrate an alignment with the values of the Armed Forces Covenant to qualify for consideration.

As a commercial services company specialising in everything from cleaning and security to IT service desk support and building maintenance, Portsmouth-based Citrus Facilities Management operates a business model that runs around the clock. It relies on staff who are willing to work irregular patterns, often outside standard business hours. From day one of trading more than 16 years ago, the organisation has offered a fair, flexible working policy.

This flexibility extends to every member of staff, regardless of their circumstances. For service personnel, their immediate families and the wider armed forces community, Citrus Facilities Management’s leadership team has embedded a range of practical measures to ensure these employees can take the time they need and always fit work around their unique way of life. 

On Wednesday 1 July 2026, representatives from Citrus Facilities Management attended the 2026 Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award Ceremony at HM Naval Base Portsmouth, where they formally received their Silver Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Award. The award highlights Citrus Facilities Management’s continued efforts to strengthen their flexible and inclusive employee experience. As a recipient, the organisation is certified to:

• Recruit fairly, with no bias or disadvantage for anyone from the armed forces community

• Actively ensure their workforce is aware of the positive policies in place for the armed forces community

• Support employees who are Active Reservists with:

  • At least five days’ additional annual leave

  • A proactive relationship with their assigned Defence Relationship Manager in the Ministry of Defence

  • Support for mobilisations

  • Flexibility for volunteering days

This award not only demonstrates Citrus Facilities Management’s commitment to accommodate specific employee circumstances, but proves that they are fully equipped to welcome and comprehensively support individuals from the armed forces community. For people in this industry, it is common to navigate inconsistency and changes in family dynamics, so having an employer that is ready to work with this is hugely important.

Speaking about the award, Coralee Graham, Charity Champion at Citrus Facilities Management says: “Our workforce is incredibly diverse, and we believe this only amplifies the service we offer to every client. We’re proud to have achieved silver level in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, and we plan to continue growing our suite of inclusive policies to make our company even more accessible for those in the armed forces community.”