At Escape the Village, we’ve always believed that you don’t have to be a giant corporation to make a giant impact. We spend our days helping small businesses and rural entrepreneurs find their voice and grow their reach, but recently, we’ve been busy celebrating a milestone of our own. We are incredibly proud to announce that Escape the Village has been awarded the Ministry of Defence’s highest honour for supporting the Armed Forces community: the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award.
This isn’t just another certificate for the wall. For us, and for Liz personally, it represents a commitment that sits at the very heart of why this business exists. It’s about more than just business; it’s about community, resilience, and giving back to those who serve.
A Rare Achievement for Small Businesses
When we first started our journey with the Armed Forces Covenant, we knew we wanted to go all the way. But seeing the final numbers for 2026 really puts the scale of this achievement into perspective:
- 162 organisations across the entire UK received the Gold Award this year.
- In the Wessex region, Escape the Village is one of just 20 organisations to be recognised.
- Notably, only about 15% of this year’s recipients are micro businesses.
Being a micro business among a sea of much larger organisations proves that size is no barrier to excellence. Whether we are providing business consultancy services or helping a local mechanic with their social media marketing for small business, we apply the same “all-in” dedication that it took to achieve this Gold status.
It’s Personal: From the WRAC to Escape the Village
For those who know Liz, you’ll know that this award isn’t just about business policy: it’s lived experience. As a former member of the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC), and coming from a family with deep-rooted military connections. Her time in service shaped me in ways that continue to influence how I run this company today.
Even now, Liz continues to serve as an Army Cadet Force Adult Instructor. Working with the next generation of young people reminds us daily of the importance of leadership, mentorship, and discipline. When we sit down for a business growth consultancy session with a client, those military-honed values are right there at the table with us. We don’t just give advice; we act as a strategic partner, much like a commanding officer looks after their unit.
The Mother-Daughter Team Behind the Scenes
Escape the Village is very much a family affair. Liz runs the business alongside her daughter, Izzy, and a small but mighty team. Working together as a mother-daughter duo allows us to blend different perspectives: my years of experience and military background with Izzy’s fresh energy and modern marketing insights.
We’ve found that many of our clients, especially in rural areas, appreciate this personal, family-led approach. They aren’t looking for a clinical, faceless marketing agency for small business; they want people who understand the juggle of running a business while raising a family or being part of a tight-knit community.
Military Values in Small Business Marketing
You might wonder how military service translates to small business marketing strategy. In reality, the two worlds are more similar than you’d think. At the core of our marketing consultancy for small businesses, we lean on four key pillars:
- Resilience: Every business owner knows that things don’t always go to plan. We help our clients build robust strategies that can weather the storms of changing algorithms and shifting markets.
- Teamwork: We act as your outsourced marketing department. We aren’t just “consultants”; we are part of your team, working toward a common goal.
- Integrity: We believe in being honest and transparent. If a strategy isn’t working, we tell you. We focus on real results, not vanity metrics.
- Leadership: We empower our clients to take charge of their own business growth, providing the coaching and training they need to move from being a “well-kept secret” to a local leader.
The Road to Gold
Our journey to this Gold Award wasn’t an overnight success. Like any good small business marketing consultancy, we believe in the power of a long-term plan.
We started by signing the Armed Forces Covenant three years ago, pledging to support the military community. From there, we worked our way through the Bronze and Silver awards, consistently demonstrating our commitment by advocating for veterans, reservists, and military families. We’ve encouraged other organisations to sign the Covenant and have seen firsthand the incredible skills that veterans bring to the civilian workforce: skills like problem-solving, dedication, and the ability to thrive under pressure.
Supporting Our Rural Community
Achieving this award is a milestone for our business, but it’s also a call to action. We want to encourage other small business owners in Wiltshire and beyond to look at how they can support the Armed Forces community. Whether it’s offering flexible leave for Reservists or simply recognising the value of a veteran’s CV, these small steps make a massive difference.
Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin Bailey MBE MP, put it perfectly: “For a veteran starting a new chapter, or a Reservist balancing two demanding roles, having an employer in your corner makes an enormous difference.”
We are proud to be that employer in the corner for the Wessex region.
What’s Next for Escape the Village?
While we are currently enjoying the news, the real celebration happens later this year. We’ll be attending a prestigious black-tie ceremony at The Tank Museum in Bovington, where we will formally receive the Gold Award alongside other recipients from the region. It’s going to be a proud moment for our whole team and a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come.
But even with a Gold Award in the bag, our mission remains the same. We are here to help you flourish. Whether you need a comprehensive small business marketing strategy or hands-on business consultancy services, we’re ready to help you stop being a “well-kept secret” and start reaching the customers you deserve.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey: our clients, our families, and our community. This award belongs to all of us!
Need help growing your business?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the “juggling act” of running your company, let’s talk. At Escape the Village, we offer everything from one-off focus hours to monthly retained marketing support. Contact us today to find out how we can help your business thrive.
Over the last thirty years Elizabeth has start up and run a number of successful businesses in a variety of industries including events management, restaurant, webdesign, business training and gardening! This has led to extensive knowledge of business startup, management and marketing.
She is also a qualified and experienced business and life coach with a passion for supporting small business owners. In addition to all of this she is an experienced and qualified further education lecturer, having taught face to face courses and workshops across England, as well as a range of online courses in a range of business and marketing topics .