2018 WINNERS – UK AWARDS
At the inaugural British Ex-Forces in Business Awards on 17 May 2018, 500 business and military leaders gathered at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London for the largest ever celebration of veterans in business. Fifteen winners were announced, whittled down from over 250 nominations. Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists and thank you for being fantastic business role models to service leavers.
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Winner: David Wilkins – Goldman Sachs
PRESENTED BY
Stewart Sharman, Deputy MD & Head of the Ex-Forces Programme, FDM Group (left)

YOUNG LEADER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Linsey Vance – Datapipe
PRESENTED BY
Lyanne Maclean, Head of Fleet Services, Royal Mail (left)

ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
Winner: John Chantry – Barclays
PRESENTED BY
Lieutenant General Mark Poffley, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (left)

INSPIRATION OF THE YEAR
Winner: Ally Musthan – Artisan People
PRESENTED BY
Diarmaid Walshe, Managing Director, Soldier On! (left)

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Winner: Richard Gill – Drone Defence
PRESENTED BY
Steve Kershaw, Partner & Military Network Chair, PwC (left)

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Winner: Tony Knights – Knights Group Worldwide
PRESENTED BY
Praseeda Nair, Editorial Director, Real Business (left)

NEW SERVICE LEAVER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Daniel Frost – Marks and Spencer
PRESENTED BY
John Ponsonby, Former MD, Leonardo Helicopters UK (left)

ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR
Winner: Rowena Fell – EY
PRESENTED BY
Julian Lewis, MP for New Forest East & Chair of the Defence Select Committee (left)

TEAM LEADER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Colin Sellars – Cornwall Council
PRESENTED BY
Bruce Hodge, Managing Director, Bulldog Publishing (left)

SERVICE LEAVER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Lee Whitworth – A&E Harmonious Compliance Training
PRESENTED BY
Major General Graham Binns (left)

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR
Winner: Damon Tyler – NHS Calderdale CCG
PRESENTED BY
Howard Hughes, Director, Military & Government Business Unit, Kuehne + Nagel (left)

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Jaguar Land Rover
PRESENTED BY
Ben Farrell, Head of Central Operations and Transport, John Lewis (left)

WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Winner: Jane Wainwright – PwC
PRESENTED BY
Suzanne Hughes, HR Chief Operating Officer, Santander UK (left)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Winner: Jon Lamonte – Transport for Greater Manchester
PRESENTED BY
General Sir Mike Jackson, Former Chief of the General Staff & Chairman, ForceSelect (left)

OUSTANDING ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Edward Osborne – Virtualstock
PRESENTED BY
Robbie Carroll, UK National Security & Public Safety, AWS (left)

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.