THE WORLD’S LARGEST CELEBRATION
OF VETERANS IN SECOND CAREERS
14 March, DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow, Cambridge St
27 June, Grosvenor House London, Park Lane
THE WORLD’S LARGEST CELEBRATION
OF VETERANS IN SECOND CAREERS
14 March, DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow, Cambridge St
27 June, Grosvenor House London, Park Lane
THE WORLD’S LARGEST CELEBRATION
OF VETERANS IN SECOND CAREERS
14 March, DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow, Cambridge St
27 June, Grosvenor House London, Park Lane
THE WORLD’S LARGEST CELEBRATION
OF VETERANS IN SECOND CAREERS
14 March, DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow, Cambridge St
27 June, Grosvenor House London, Park Lane
THE WORLD’S LARGEST CELEBRATION
OF VETERANS IN SECOND CAREERS
14 March, DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow, Cambridge St
27 June, Grosvenor House London, Park Lane
THE WORLD’S LARGEST CELEBRATION
OF VETERANS IN SECOND CAREERS
14 March, DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow, Cambridge St
27 June, Grosvenor House London, Park Lane
THE WORLD’S LARGEST CELEBRATION
OF VETERANS IN SECOND CAREERS
14 March, DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow, Cambridge St
27 June, Grosvenor House London, Park Lane
THE WORLD’S LARGEST CELEBRATION
OF VETERANS IN SECOND CAREERS
14 March, DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow, Cambridge St
27 June, Grosvenor House London, Park Lane
THE WORLD’S LARGEST CELEBRATION
OF VETERANS IN SECOND CAREERS
14 March, DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow, Cambridge St
27 June, Grosvenor House London, Park Lane
The Ex-Forces in Business Awards is the world’s largest celebration of ex-military in second careers – recognising the value veterans add to businesses as well as the employers that support the transition of servicemen and women.
Servicemen and women spend years adapting to roles and gaining valuable skills. They develop qualities that are hugely adaptable to commercial environments and in demand in the business world, but communicating the transferability of those skills to employers can be challenging. Increasing visibility of role models – military veterans who have carved out successful second careers – is crucial to not only empowering and inspiring current and future service leavers, but to educating employers on the value of supporting the transition of servicemen and women.
Founded in 2017 by Disruptive Media Group, and with editions in London and Glasgow, the Ex-Forces in Business Awards is the flagship platform globally for providing that visibility by celebrating the achievements of veterans in the wider workforce and promoting the strong synergies between military values and business excellence. The awards highlight the military-gained skills and qualities that have helped enable their business achievements and recognises the organisations that have supported them.
‘Oscars of Ex-Forces Employment’
The Ex-Forces in Business Awards was the recipient of its own national award when it was crowned the UK’s ‘Best New Awards Event’, and it has since earned recognition in the media as the ‘Oscars of ex-forces employment’.
These exciting, high-profile awards ceremonies not only gather business leaders and veterans to honour the winners, but also bring together top companies and other stakeholders to advance dialogue and share best practice around the benefits of ex-forces employment initiatives, and ultimately promote the significant value that military-gained skills can provide to the UK economy if better utilised across the workforce.
HIGHLIGHTS
On 29 June 2023, the sixth annual British Ex-Forces in Business Awards took place in the famed Great Room of Grosvenor House, Park Lane, bringing together 1,200 business and military leaders for the world’s largest celebration of veterans in second careers. Host of the Awards, TV presenter Jacqui Oatley MBE, welcomed a series of engaging keynote addresses including from Vice Admiral Phil Hally, Chief of Defence People, Lt. Gen. Sir Andrew Gregory, CEO of charity partner SSAFA, and record-breaking mountaineer and adventurer Hari Budha Magar, as well as a programme of live entertainment.
On 18 April 2023, the fourth annual Scottish Ex-Forces in Business Awards took place in the Hilton Glasgow’s Grand Ballroom, bringing together 500 business leaders and veterans. The Scottish awards were hosted by BBC news anchor and broadcasting legend Sally Magnusson, who introduced keynote speakers including Scottish Veterans Commissioner Lt Cdr Susie Hamilton, Sian Brown, Chief Data Officer at Barclays Execution Services, and Chris Hockley CBE DL, CEO of The MacRobert Trust, as well as a programme of live entertainment.
Guests at Ex-Forces in Business Awards events have enjoyed special entertainment that includes live singers, showcases from the Team BRIT racing team and an original Hawker Typhoon Napier Engine, and performances from the likes of the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra, the Royal Scots Association Pipe Band and the Military Wives Choir.
AT A GLANCE. The Ex-Forces in Business Awards in 2023:
LONDON AWARDS HOST
JACQUI OATLEY MBE
TV presenter
Jacqui Oatley MBE is a leading sports broadcaster on Sky Sports, ITV and the BBC. Since becoming the first female commentator on Match of the Day in 2007, Jacqui has gone on to present and commentate on the biggest football tournaments worldwide, including World Cups, Euros and the Olympic Games. She is now presenter of the weekly Sunday Supplement football show on Sky Sports. Away from football, Jacqui presents ITV’s darts coverage as well as the sports news on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. She has also reported on tennis, golf, rugby league, snooker and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee parade for the BBC.
LONDON KEYNOTE
MAJOR HEATHER STANNING OBE
Double Olympic gold medallist
Army officer Heather Stanning was the first British female, along with her partner Helen Glover, to win an Olympic gold medal for rowing at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. After completing a tour of Helmand Province in Afghanistan, Heather rejoined Helen to become World and European champions and then retain their Olympic title with another gold at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. When Heather retired from international rowing in November 2016 to concentrate on her military career, she and Helen were ranked the top female rowers in the world. She continues to serve as a Major in the Royal Regiment of Artillery.
SCOTLAND AWARDS HOST
JJ CHALMERS
BBC presenter and Invictus Games gold medallist
JJ Chalmers is a former Royal Marine Commando who served on the frontline in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was wounded by an Improvised Explosive Device whilst on foot patrol in a blast that claimed the lives of two of his friends, and has since been through hundreds of hours of surgery and endured months of specialist rehabilitation. In the 2014 Invictus Games, JJ captained Team UK’s Trike Cycling team, which brought home eight medals, and he personally won a Gold and Bronze for Recumbent Cycling and a Bronze in the 4x100m track. He’s a firm fixture in BBC Sport’s live presenting team and part of the BBC ceremonial coverage team covering events such as Trooping The Colour and The Lord Mayor’s Show.
CHARITY
“SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is delighted to be the charity partner of the Ex-Forces in Business Awards. I congratulate all those nominated in the various categories, and especially those who have collected an award; you should all be extremely proud of what you have achieved, not least by highlighting the values and qualities veterans bring to society after their military service. The Awards are an excellent way to recognise the linkages between the Armed Forces and businesses, large and small. Those who organise this celebration of success, culminating in superb events, have done a wonderful job. SSAFA is thrilled that over £66,000 was raised in 2023 to help us continue our support to the Armed Forces community; on behalf of our clients, thank you all very much for your generosity.”
Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory, CEO, SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity
CHAMPION’S MESSAGE
A message from seven-time Formula One World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton to the finalists of the Ex-Forces in Business Award.
THE GREAT 100
The 100 GREAT British Employers of Veterans, an annual snapshot and showcase of 100 leading Forces Friendly employers in the UK and what they offer to veterans, is now available for free digital download.
THE GREAT 100
The 100 GREAT British Employers of Veterans, an annual snapshot and showcase of 100 leading Forces Friendly employers in the UK and what they offer to veterans, is now available for free digital download.
PROMO VIDEO
LATEST ARTICLES
2023 Finalists Revealed: British Ex-Forces in Business Awards
The finalists for the sixth annual British Ex-Forces in Business Awards, the Armed Forces community’s biggest awards ceremony, demonstrate the huge value that veterans offer across all sectors. The shortlist for the sixth annual British Ex-Forces in Business Awards,...
Flagship Awards Return to Scotland to Showcase Veteran Talents
The Scottish Ex-Forces in Business Awards are set to land in Glasgow for the fourth time next month, showcasing the tremendous talents of military veterans in second careers. The Scottish edition of the Ex-Forces in Business Awards, the world’s largest celebration of...
Finalists Revealed for 5th Annual British Ex-Forces in Business Awards
The world’s largest and leading celebration of military veterans in second careers returns for its fifth annual edition, with a shortlist showing the huge breadth of ex-forces talent.