Outstanding talent recognised as finalists revealed for 2026 LGBTQ+ Defence Awards
The shortlist for the 2026 LGBTQ+ Defence Awards has been officially revealed, celebrating the inspiring individuals, teams and organisations strengthening UK defence and security through achievement, leadership and inclusion.
Now in their fourth year, the awards recognise outstanding LGBTQ+ talent alongside allies and organisations working to build a more representative defence workforce where people can contribute, lead and succeed irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The awards were established following the UK government's historic apology in 2023 to LGBT veterans affected by the pre-2000 Armed Forces ban.
What began as a response to calls for recognition and reparation has grown into the world's largest celebration of LGBTQ+ contributions to our security forces and the sectors that support them.
Against an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, the LGBTQ+ Defence Awards provide an important platform to champion the values of fairness, respect and equality within modern British defence.
By elevating role models and showcasing examples of inclusive leadership, they demonstrate how widening opportunity and enabling people to perform at their best can strengthen talent, capability and ultimately national security.
Hundreds of nominations were submitted for this year's awards, of which BFBS is media partner, highlighting achievements at every level of the defence and security community.
The finalists are drawn from every branch of the military, government and industry – from prominent leaders and advocates to individuals whose ability to be themselves at work has enabled them to thrive, contribute fully and create lasting change.
Peter Gibson, chief executive of Fighting With Pride, said: "The LGBTQ+ Defence Awards are a wonderful opportunity to showcase and celebrate the exceptional achievements of LGBTQ+ individuals, teams and inclusive employers.
"We are proud that the UK hosts the world's leading platform recognising LGBTQ+ people in the defence community, demonstrating that diverse talent only strengthens our national security.
"Fighting With Pride are delighted to be partnering with this prestigious event for the fourth year.
"Congratulations to all shortlisted finalists, and our thanks go to the amazing people who submitted nominations, helping to champion those driving diversity, inclusion and equity across the UK's defence, aerospace and security landscape."
The 2026 ceremony will be held on 8 October in the magnificent Grand Hall of the Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden, London.
Comedian and author Shappi Khorsandi will host the evening, with live entertainment and special guest speakers including 14-time Paralympic gold medalist Sir Lee Pearson – Britain's most decorated LGBTQ+ athlete – and Polly Perkins CBE, the UK's first Armed Forces Commissioner.
Bringing together senior military leaders, defence industry executives, civil servants, politicians and members of the wider defence community, the ceremony has become known for its warm, fun and welcoming atmosphere.
Beyond recognising exceptional achievement, the evening provides a rare opportunity to bring together people from across the defence ecosystem around a shared commitment to ensuring talent can thrive.
The awards are proudly supported by a roster of leading employers, including BAE Systems, Thales, AirTanker, Amazon, Babcock, MBDA and PA Consulting.
Winners are chosen by an independent judging panel comprising senior figures from the Ministry of Defence, British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, DE&S, Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Imperial College London, Royal College of Emergency Medicine and Scottish Prison Service.
Amanda Wood, Group Social Sustainability Director at BAE Systems, headline sponsor of the LGBTQ+ Defence Awards, said: "These awards recognise real focus in our sector to create workplaces where everyone feels valued and can bring their whole self to work.
"At BAE Systems we are working hard to build an inclusive culture that allows all employees to perform at their best, enabling our business to innovate, to grow and to thrive.
"I'm incredibly proud of our 3,000-strong LGBTQ+ employee connection group, OutLink.
"Their work, together with many others across the business and the insight they bring is vital in helping us maintain momentum on this important company journey."
THE FINALISTS
Advocate of the Year
Cdr Mandy McBain OBE, Royal Navy
Cdre Daniel Thomas, Royal Navy
Denis Twomey, Babcock
Jamie White, Defence Infrastructure Organisation
Major Phill Birkett, British Army
Sam Stewart, BAE Systems
Tekhe Greenwood, Babcock
Wg Cdr Becky Taylor, Royal Air Force
Ally of the Year
AVM Anthony Lyle, Royal Air Force
Darren Shepherd, Thales UK
Karen Saunders, L3Harris
Leigh Wakefield, Babcock
LGBT Restorative Action Team, Ministry of Defence
Lt Col Jason Wright, Adjutant General's Corps, British Army
Sgt Dean Anderson, Royal Air Force
Sue Hall, Capita
Armed Forces Leader of the Year
Capt Edmund Rogers, British Army
Capt Sam Kinsey-Briggs, Royal Navy
Col Grace Sangster-Wall, British Army
Flt Lt Chris Smale, Royal Air Force
Lt Cdr Helena Fox, Ministry of Defence
Lt Col Matthew Clarke, Defence Strategy Directorate
Sqn Ldr Fiona McWilliam-Free, Royal Air Force
WO1 Dean Nelson, British Army
Inspiration of the Year
Amanda Dobson, Ministry of Defence / National Armaments Director Group
Cpl Em Ferguson, Royal Air Force
Katy Goodyer, Thales UK
LCpl Santosh Magar, 22 Signal Regiment, British Army
Lucy Moore, L3Harris
Mark Cartwright, Ministry of Defence
Samuel Southern, BAE Systems
Sara Hayes, Defence Infrastructure Organisation
LGBTQ+ Network or Initiative of the Year (Public Sector / Non-Profit)
Army Recruiting Group LGBTQ+ Network, Capita / British Army
City of London Police LGBTQ+ Network
Fighting with Pride
Intelligence Corps LGBTQ+ Network, British Army
LGBTQ+ Armed Forces Community Memorial
MOD LGBTQ+ Allies Programme, Ministry of Defence
RAF LGBTQ+ Network, Royal Air Force
RN LGBTQ+ Network, Royal Navy
LGBTQ+ Network or Initiative of the Year (Industry)
PA Pride Network, PA Consulting
Pride in Babcock, Babcock
Thales LGBTQ+ Network, Thales UK
The DXC Pride Employee Resource Group, DXC Technology
The Lavender Group
The Plus Network, Sopra Steria
Trans Champions, BAE Systems
UK Pride ERG, L3Harris
LGBTQ+ Trailblazer of the Year
Alex Meyrick, Op RESTORE, The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service, NHS
Amber Webb, MBDA UK
Chaplain Jacob Caldwell, 12 Armoured Brigade, British Army
Charlie Bennett, BAE Systems
Cpl Benjamin Machin, Royal Air Force
Defence Animal Training Regiment, British Army
Rev'd James Bell-Winfrow, Royal Navy
Sarah Rabin, King's College London
Outstanding Achiever of the Year
Dr H, Ministry of Defence / National Armaments Director Group (Name redaction is for security reasons)
Joshua Fawcett, Ministry of Defence
Laura Nielsen, Thales UK
Lt Cdr Chris Lead, Royal Navy
Maj Stephanie Hayward, Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, British Army
Paul Kellett, BAE Systems
Rebecca Burnett, Babcock
Sgt Antony Stafford-Boutwood, Royal Air Force
Rising Star of the Year
Cpl Liam Williams, 12th Armoured Brigade, British Army
Daniel Aviss-Harvey, Babcock
Gdsm Jack Pollard, Grenadier Guards, British Army
LCpl Liam Cole, RG Outreach Team Woolwich (AAC), British Army
Lilith Cunningham, Thales UK
Lt Grace Norman-Penn, Royal Navy
Maya Sivanandan, L3Harris
Samuel Whaley, Airtanker
Role Model of the Year
Bex Page, Babcock
Fraser Pike, Ministry of Defence
Jenna Powell, BAE Systems
Mia Chatterton and James Hallam, BAE Systems
Paul Brewer, BAE Systems
Rev'd (Sqn Ldr) Andi Chapman, Royal Air Force
SSgt Hannah Barron, 3rd Regiment Royal Military Police, British Army
WO1 Michelle Williamson, 215 (Scottish) Multirole Medical Regiment, British Army
Team Leader of the Year
AB1 Cole Scahill, Royal Navy
Becky Bennett, DSTL
Dan Cornell, PA Consulting
Grant Walker, Airtanker
Justin Beattie, BMT
Maj Holly Turner, 3rd Regiment Royal Military Police, British Army
Mark Owen, L3Harris
LCpl Zelah Yuill, Royal Logistic Corps, British Army
Tech Leader of the Year
Ashleigh Barron, Thales UK
Caitlin Stanley, BAE Systems
Elaine Fraser, Thales UK
Jacob Noble, PA Consulting
Joshua Tyers, L3Harris
Ryan Rankin, BAE Systems
Vincent Walker, Northrop Grumman
Veteran of the Year
Charlotte Davies, AWE
Deb Mills-Burns, Momentum Personal Solutions
Jayne King, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Laura Blair, Centrica
Marli Norman-Penn, Alten
Sharon Pickering, Fighting With Pride
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