Record number of nominations as finalists revealed for 2024 British Ex-Forces in Business Awards (2024)

The British Ex-Forces in Business Awards, the flagship showcase of the value veterans add to the UK economy, has revealed the finalists for its seventh annual edition.

A record-breaking number of nominations has led to talented veterans from across the UK workforce being recognised in the shortlist for the world's largest business celebration of the Armed Forces community.

The challenges involved in taking on a meaningful second career after serving in the Armed Forces are well documented.

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Misconceptions among hiring managers about the effects of military service and a lack of visible role models – service leavers who have carved out successful second careers – have historically seen some veterans struggling with their transition back to civilian life and employers overlooking a great talent pool.

The Ex-Forces in Business Awards, of which Forces News' parent company BFBS is a media partner, were formed to tackle these issues via a grand showcase of veteran talent.

The awards programme has led the way globally in demonstrating the huge value that veterans add to their employers and the wider economy after leaving the military.

This is not just important for levelling up job opportunities for people who served their country, but also helping companies solve long-standing economic challenges such as skills shortages and productivity gaps.

Since 2018, the awards have celebrated the post-military achievements of more than 1,500 veterans and reservists at events which have been attended by thousands of employers across the UK and engaged with millions more online.

This year has seen another record-breaking number of nominations, resulting in a shortlist which displays the vast breadth of the Armed Forces community's influence across all corners of the economy.

Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory, former chief of defence people and now chief executive at SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, said: "The Ex-Forces in Business Awards showcase the very best that the Armed Forces community and business, in partnership, has to offer.

"Some individuals find the transition from service life to civvy street challenging; those nominated for the awards have made this transition admirably ,and must act as role models for others.

"I equally commend the forces-friendly employers on the shortlist; you see the opportunities offered by reservists and veterans, a fact that is greatly appreciated.

"SSAFA is very proud once again to be the official charity partner of these awards.We are there as a trusted source of support when people need help.

"Funds raised will enable us to ensure service personnel, veterans and military families will, in their time of need, never battle alone."

This year's event on 27 June will see 1,200 business and military leaders descend on the Grosvenor House London's historic Great Room in Park Lane to honour and celebrate the winners.

Victoria Derbyshire, a BBC Newsnight presenter, will host the awards and introduce a programme of live entertainment and guest speakers including three-time Olympic rowing champion Pete Reed OBE and a yet-to-be-announced senior Whitehall official.

Earlier in the day, the same venue will host the first festival of business for the UK Armed Forces community, MilFest 2024, a content-led conference connecting forces-friendly companies with veterans, spouses and service family members.

Speakers include Vice Admiral Phil Hally, Chief of Defence People, Lord Sedwill, a former cabinet secretary, and Helen Selby, general counsel and company secretary at Asda.

Ben Rossi, the founder of the British Ex-Forces in Business Awards, said: "The incredible achievements documented through the 900-plus nominations we received for this year's awards are simply staggering.

"The fact they have been enabled by skills and values gained in the British Armed Forces should leave employers in no doubt of the value veterans offer.

"We are proud of the role these awards play in showcasing and championing the veteran talent pool.

"The Ex-Forces in Business Awards evidence very clearly that supporting the transition of servicemen and women into meaningful second careers is not just the right thing to do, or a tick in a CSR box, it's a tried and tested route to acquiring exceptional talent who will add enormous value to your business.

"Congratulations to all of this year's finalists and thank you for serving as such tremendous role models for service leavers."

The Finalists

Advocate Of The Year (Individual)

Christopher Brown, Bridewell

Gavin Jones, KFM

Graeme Dunn, Scottish Veterans Residences

Jake Ardley, Consulting

Mark Sneddon, Serco

Mark Whittington, Certes IT Service Solutions

Martin Flint-Johnson, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust

Nadine Davis, Barclays

Pete Hutchinson, Digital Realty

Rod Flavell, FDM Group

Steve Rowse, Santander

Toby Partridge, Bloomberg

Advocate Of The Year (Organisation)

e50K

Eagle Eye Innovations

Ex-Mil Recruitment

FDM Group

Fieri Leadership

Forces Horizon

Haxby Group

North East BIC

Project RECCE CIO

SA Group

Sunbelt Rentals UK

Travis Perkins

Business Leader Of The Year (Large Organisation)

Andy Low, Sodexo

Bill Twibill, Capgemini

Charlie Antelme, Mitie Defence

Christopher Obern, Johnsons Controls International

Dawn Stevenson, Alamy

Gary Barker, Bureau Veritas

Gary Taylor, HCRG

Lee Cartmell, Chubb Fire and Security

Martin Wallace, Veolia Water Technologies

Paul Bennett, AtkinsRealis

Paul Harrison, Mott MacDonald

Steve Knibbs, Vodafone Business UK

Business Leader Of The Year (SME)

Alex Stronge, Iqarus

Anna Maxwell, C2 Safety

Ben Price, Wittering Fitness

Dennis Howard MBE, Joint Security Services

Ian Hilton, Cavendish Nuclear

James Morgan, Logiq Consulting