Awards shining a spotlight on veteran talent in the workforce back for eighth year
The finalists for the 2025 British Forces in Business Awards have been announced, launching the eighth annual edition of the flagship event that celebrates the Armed Forces community's vast contributions to all parts of the economy.
More than 15,000 individuals leave the British Armed Forces each year with transferable skills and values nurtured in elite training and operational environments.
However, many face hurdles establishing a meaningful second career, including misconceptions about military service and a lack of visible role models who transition successfully across different sectors.
The Forces in Business Awards were founded in 2018 to challenge those barriers head on.
Through grand showcases of veteran talent in London, Glasgow and Washington DC, the awards have helped transform the veteran employment landscape by improving how hiring managers and business leaders view the Armed Forces community as a source of talent.
Since their inception in 2018, the awards have recognised more than 2,000 veterans and reservists, drawing in thousands of business leaders to the flagship ceremonies.
The events have become a cornerstone in the veteran employment landscape and a catalyst for improving the narrative around military-to-civilian transition
The unveiling of this year's finalists (see below for the full list) follows another record-breaking round of nominations, reflecting growing recognition of the veteran talent pool as a key driver of innovation, leadership and resilience.
The vast breadth of organisations represented on the shortlist demonstrates the Armed Force community's exceptional contributions across the economy.
Air Marshal Steve Shell (Ret'd), CEO of SSAFA, official charity partner of the awards, said: "With commemorations recently to mark VE Day 80, we've seen the high regard the military community continues – rightly – to be held in.
"This esteem extends to celebrating achievement once people return to civilian life, and for those in the Reserves, and there are few better examples of this than the Forces in Business Awards, which highlight the absolute best that the partnership of Armed Forces community and business offer.
"Those nominated for the awards have made a successful transition from the Armed Forces and act as role models for others, and therefore deserve our praise.
"And because it's a partnership, I also commend the forces-friendly employers on the shortlist because these businesses see the potential and opportunities offered by reservists and veterans.
"SSAFA – 140 years old this year – is a trusted source of support for when the forces family needs help, and we're extremely proud to again be the official charity partner of these awards."
The 2025 Awards Gala returns to the iconic Great Room in Grosvenor House London, Park Lane, on 26 June.
With 1,200 leaders from the business and Armed Forces communities in attendance, the event ranks among the most attended awards ceremonies in Europe.
Known as the "Oscars of veteran employment", this year's celebration will be presented by ITV News anchor Nina Hossain, who will host the awards ceremony and introduce a stellar line-up of live entertainment and guest speakers, including double Olympic rowing champion Major Heather Stanning.
Beyond the glitz and fanfare, the awards serve a serious purpose – to help employers overcome critical issues such as skills shortages and productivity challenges by tapping into the highly capable and diverse Armed Forces talent pool.
As the UK looks to boost economic performance and close skills gaps, veterans offer a solution hiding in plain sight.
Ben Rossi, founder of the global Forces in Business Awards series, said: "The British Forces in Business Awards have become a beacon for exceptional talent, showing that supporting the Armed Forces community is not just good ethics – it's smart business.
"The calibre of this year's nominations has been nothing short of extraordinary, and the stories behind them prove just how impactful veterans can be in every corner of our economy.
"Supporting the transition of service members into meaningful second careers isn't a charitable cause, a PR exercise or a CSR box-tick.
"It's a proven strategy for unlocking and accessing exceptional talent.
"This year's finalists are not only high achievers – they are powerful role models for others treading the same daunting path that they once did."
THE FINALISTS
ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – INDIVIDUAL
Andy Watt, Kuehne+Nagel
Andy Wilson, Utility Warehouse
Damien O'Neill, Biffa
Ed Murphy, BNY
Kat Barrett, Wincanton
Liam Slate, GE Aerospace
Noel McGonigle, Savills
Rachel Evans, Sodexo
Richard Kinnell, British Airways
Rob Atchison, Northrop Grumman UK
Steve Dignum, MBDA
Suzan Boylan, Barclays
ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – ORGANISATION
Airbus
Amey
Babcock
Balfour Beatty
CS PM Consultancy
Compass Group UK&I
Eagle Eye Innovations
GXO Logistics
Methods
NCC Group
Pertemps
Sunbelt Rentals
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR – LARGE ORGANISATION
Alison Wright, Metrea
Andy Best, British Airways
Benjit Dhesi, SMBC Bank International
Brett Baber, Belectric
Dan Hudson, Rolls-Royce
David Graham, LSL Property Services
Mark Baker, Sodexo
Michael Greenough, Lotus Cars
Michael McMillan, BT
Peter Brown MBE, PWC
Rod Boundy, Capgemini Invent
Stuart Gilbert, Bureau Veritas UK
CHAMPION OF WOMEN AWARD
Andrea Clarkson, Galliford Try
Chloe Fitton, Stantec
Donna King, MBDA
Emma Crawford-Falekaono, Mazuma
Gemma Luxton, RejuvaLux
Georgina Smith, Babcock
Katie Bird, Capgemini Invent
Krissi Exley, Santander UK
Mandy Hickson, Hickson and Hickson
Nicky Howse, Barclays
Phaedra Gibson, Smiths Detection
Rachel Smallwood, BAE Systems
D&I INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
AtkinsRéalis
e50K
Female Veterans Alliance
HSBC Asset Management
JointForces@ISS, ISS UK
Military Officer Leadership Programme, GE Aerospace
Military at Microsoft ERG
Sensory Pod, Amazon
Shine Programme, Wincanton
Smiths Detection Veterans Employee Resource Group
Serco
Veterans on Probation Wellbeing Programme, Standing Tall Foundation
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
AtkinsRéalis
Babcock
BAE Systems
Carbon60
Centrica
Company X Consulting
D3A Defence
FDM Group
Inzpire
Joint Security Services / JBS London
MBDA UK
Microsoft
Mott MacDonald
Northrop Grumman UK
Serco
ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AWARD
Alex Macrae, VIVO Defence Services
Andrew Bottger, ISS UK
Anthony Morgan, FedEx
Chris Harley, Stantec
Craig Richardson, Cavendish Nuclear
Dave Edmondson, Avara Foods
John Taylor, Babcock
Lee Prentice, Veolia UK
Michael Burke, Smith & Nephew
Owen Gudge, SA Group
Pamela McNeill, Galliford Try
Richard Pym, Bombardier BSUK
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Andrew Kemp, AK Medical
Clare Hearl, The Crafty Black Dog
Colour Sergeant Teague Young, Combat Clipper Company
Jay Guthrie, Lykke Global Advisors
John Finney, ALL.SPACE
Mark Chapman, Dinotots Group
Mark Ormrod MBE, Kaizen Summit
Mauricio Gris, Thread Studios
Matthew Smith, S.O.E Expeditions
Marie Stoddart, Intra Wilderness Therapy and Coaching
Paul Reeves, RC Fornax
Steven Purdy, Headsup Medical Solutions
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Adam Sewell, AtkinsRéalis
Andrew Carnegie, Air Sentry
Benn Allen-Gunn, Mace
Charlie Tweed, Forge YR / Amicus / NHS
Claire-Leigh Gloyne, Squarcle Consulting
Jim Creber, AtkinsRéalis
Lee Sharples, Kuehne+Nagel
Mike Trebilcock, Touchbyte
Nick Matthews, Network Rail
Roy Goddard, FDM Group / Migration and Borders Technology Portfolio at the Home Office
Robert Haddow, Balfour Beatty
Sean Beeks, Leidos
INSPIRATION OF THE YEAR
Adrian Kirkbride, AJ-Security
Daniel Burley, DSB Tech Consultancy
David Elder, Mace
Derek Gamblin, International SOS
Dr Karen Arnold, Forces Employment Charity
Gareth Whotton, ARG Coatings
Jamie Weaver, SA Group
John Richard Sword, Boeing
Matthew Kiernan, Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families' Research
Rachel Green, GXO Logistics
Robert Page, PA Consulting
Tammy Dunbar, Capgemini
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Chris Alcock, BAE Systems
Craig Watts, HMRC
Mark Long, ESS – Defence, Marine and Aerospace
Matthew Miller, Belectric
Nige Scopes, Ascent Flight Training
Phil Bambridge, FDM Group / HMRC
Peter Moody, GAP Group North East
Professor Ed Peile, University of Warwick
Professor Mansoor Khan, International SOS
Stuart Bateman, NHS
Stephen Hewings, M Group Services
Pam Robertshaw, David Brown Defence
MILITARY VALUES IN BUSINESS AWARD
Alexandria Jones, VIVO Defence Services
Barry Richardson, Bureau Veritas UK
Cristan Massey, Pearson Education
Ewen McLay, International SOS
Ian Nicholson, Pentest People
Keith Furlong, Impact Food Group
Kenwyn Hughes, VIVO Defence Services
Matt Wakefield, Serco
Nick Berchem, Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land
Russell McKay, QA
Simon Cooper, M Group Services / Morrison Water Services
Simon Deverell, Kier Group
NEW SERVICE LEAVER OF THE YEAR
Alistair Smith, HSBC Asset Management
Amy Linnell, SA Group
Daryn Veneti, Allianz
David Stirling, Crawford & Company
Dr Peter Le Gassick, QA
Jim Stevens, Mott MacDonald
Max Dewing, Arabelle Solutions
Michael de Winton, Lloyd's
Matthew Calland, Wincanton
Ross Hold, Sage
Russell Howells, Sangfroid Group
Simon Dachtler, Ascent Flight Training
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR
Gary Savage, Sodexo, HMP Northumberland
Greg Morton, Bridewell
James Robinson, Santander UK
John Garnett-Turner, O'Halloran & O'Brien / Garnett-Turner / Lion Event Solutions UK
Katie Fry-Paul, Coinbase
Kris Pankhurst, Belectric
Martin Payne, Ascent Flight Training
Mike Webb, Leidos
Rebecca Foran-Coutts, BAE Systems
Ryan Byrne, Leidos
Simon Berry, Stantec
Tom Onion, Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land
RESERVIST OF THE YEAR
Andy Robertson, FDM Group
Bill Beaumont, MBDA
Craig Hallas MBE, Mott MacDonald
Chris Freemantle, Global Driver Training Solutions
James Bolter, GXO Logistics
John Nicholson, AtkinsRéalis
John Tucker, Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land
Kamaldeep Sandhu, ISS UK
Matthew Saunders, Marsh Commercial
Ryan Elliott, Sky
Sophie Martin, Amazon
Stuart Clayton, Eagle Eye Innovations
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR
Barnaby Spink, Boston Consulting Group
Dan McGuigan, Morson Talent
Ian Toothill, SSE Renewables
Jonathan Lloyd, Mott MacDonald
Jordan Mayes, GE Aerospace
Kevin Black, Bureau Veritas UK
Mike Goodwin, Costain
Nick Henbrey, Grayson Lewis Financial Planning
Scott Machin, MAPP
Scott Young, Frontline Leadership Group
Terri Moloney, Amazon
Tom Joyce, Vodafone
ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR
Jamie Chatfield, Travis Perkins
John Hart, Thales UK
Jon Beever, Barclays
Mary Herbert, British Airways
Nick Kimber, Ruckus CommScope
Paul Farrell, Vodafone
Rob McMurrich, City College Plymouth
Rob Purse, HSBC Asset Management
Rachael Smith, Sir Robert McAlpine
Rusty Cole, AWS
Scott Broadley, Classic Lifts
Victoria Hunt, Barclays
SERVICE LEAVER OF THE YEAR
Adam Fitzsimons, City & Guilds / Gen2
Alan Axon, CityFibre
Colvin McConnachie, Kuehne+Nagel
David Pound, Adler & Allan
Ian Carpenter, Vodafone
Ian Palmer, LevertonHELM
Jamie Anderson, Compass Group UK & Ireland
Jamie Swinbourne, SP Energy Networks
James Starr, NHBC
Rhona Coutts, Eagle Eye Innovations
Rohan Byfield, Dataminr
Simon Wiley, Aqua Consultants
SME LEADER OF THE YEAR
Anthony Garrett, MPCT
Chris Medhurst-Cocksworth, Pool Reinsurance
Jake Yates, Across the Bay Podiatry & Footcare
John Dee, Somerford Associates
John Hogan, The Norton Motorcycle Co
Karl Havard, Nscale
Matthew Williams, Brigantes Consulting
Miguel Holloway, Oxford Medical Simulation
Richard Ross, Ubique Risk Management
Richard Wood, BTIS
Stephen Shepherd, South West Cyber Resilience Centre
Trevor Davies, ZeroAvia
TEAM LEADER OF THE YEAR
Chris Parry, Sodexo
George Denaro, Mace
Jason Collins, Adler & Allan
Keith Jevons, Oxford Medical Simulation
Nicholas Holloway, Pax8
Nicholas Murphy, Vertu Motors
Nick Dixon, Double Eleven
Richard Payne, ESS - Defence, Marine and Aerospace
Steve Houckham, Galliford Try
Susan Vuli, Shire Services
Tom Gray, Wells Fargo
Trevor Winchcombe, Serco
YOUNG LEADER OF THE YEAR
Anna Warrilow, County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Brady Hogg, Raytheon UK
Cal Rose, M Group Services
Christopher Impey, Consortium X
Danny Walker, TBRP
Harry Bambridge, Berkeley Group
Ian Massey, S-RM Intelligence & Risk Consulting
Jason Dunn, Safetykleen
Joe Madden, GKN Aerospace
Jordan Pullinger, Pure Data Centres
Myles Wigginton, Securitas
Nick Smith, BAE Systems
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