The definitive annual ranking of Forces Friendly employers showcases those setting the national benchmark for meaningful pathways into high-value careers for the military community.
The GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme has today unveiled its 2025 ranking of the UK’s top 50 employers for the Armed Forces community – a prestigious benchmark recognising the organisations setting the national standard in veteran employment.
As the leading benchmark of employers delivering the most outstanding pathways and support for veterans, reservists and military families, inclusion in the highly competitive Top 50 reflects a genuine, measurable and sustained commitment to the Armed Forces community in the UK.
Each year, more than 15,000 individuals leave the British Armed Forces. Highly trained, values-driven and mission-focused, they represent one of the most capable and underutilised talent pools in the labour market. Yet barriers remain to building a meaningful second career.
High-profile initiatives such as the Forces in Business Awards have greatly improved employer awareness and appreciation of the veteran talent pool, but the resulting growth in dedicated pathways has created new challenges in navigating the multitude of opportunities now available.
The 50 GREAT British Employers of Veterans was created to address this gap – providing a definitive, data-backed guide to the UK’s most exemplary Forces Friendly employers. It stands as a mark of excellence for organisations whose support is embedded, enduring and effective.
“This comprehensive ranking of Forces Friendly employers has become a cornerstone resource for veterans, reservists and their families – and a powerful benchmark for organisations seeking to lead in veteran employment,” said Ben Rossi, founder of the global Forces in Business Awards series and the 50 GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme. “To feature in the Top 50 is to stand among the most committed supporters of the Armed Forces community.
“Inclusion is not easily earned. The 2025 list reflects a growing coalition of employers who truly understand military talent, setting best practice and proving that investing in the Armed Forces community is not just the right thing to do – it’s a clear strategic advantage. We applaud you all.”
Inclusion in the programme requires employers to undergo a comprehensive assessment combining objective data with expert human evaluation by an independent Judging Panel of 21 business leaders who are veterans in their own right. The panel includes leaders from Asda, Fortinet, the University of Cambridge, RICS and the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance.
The 50 GREAT British Employers of Veterans 2025 is published today ahead of tonight’s British Forces in Business Awards – the world’s largest business celebration of the military community – where the top ranked company is presented with the prestigious Employer of the Year accolade. This year there are joint winners who received the same score at the top of the leaderboard: Babcock and BAE Systems.
“It is hugely encouraging to see evidence of such outstanding work by Forces Friendly organisations to hire and support the employment of veterans and others from across the UK Armed Forces community,” said Brigadier (Retired) Andrew Jackson, Managing Director of publication sponsor SMJ and member of the Judging Panel. “Congratulations to all those who successfully placed in the Top 50 employers this year – it is a tremendous achievement.
“The 50 GREAT British Employers of Veterans is packed full of good practice. Now is the time for these trailblazing employers to help others implement their good practice, promote veterans as assets to business and society, and help ensure as smooth a transition as possible for service leavers, veterans and their families into rewarding, meaningful post-military careers.”
A digital copy of the full 50 GREAT British Employers of Veterans publication is available for free digital download through this link.
Top 50 Employers 2025
Joint 1st. Babcock
Joint 1st. BAE Systems
3rd. Serco
4th. Inzpire
5th. Centrica
6th. FDM Group
7th. Company X Consulting
8th. MBDA UK
9th. Microsoft
10th. Northrop Grumman UK
11th. D3A Defence
12th. Carbon60
13th. Joint Security Services / JBS London
14th. Mott MacDonald
15th. AtkinsRéalis
16th. Balfour Beatty
17th. VIVO Defence Services
18th. Vodafone
19th. Amethyst Risk Management
20th. NHS Business Services Authority
21st. SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK
22nd. Sodexo
23rd. Landmarc Support Services
24th. Kuehne+Nagel
25th. Lloyd’s of London
26th. Veolia UK
27th. AAA Caring Caretaker
28th. Siemens Mobility
29th. Amey
30th. Mitie
31st. SA Group
32nd. Compass Group UK & Ireland
33rd. Leonardo
34th. Roke
35th. Travis Perkins
36th. QA
37th. Fujitsu
38th. Savills
39th. CSPM
40th. Galliford Try
Joint 41st. John Deere UK
Joint 41st. Mears Group
43rd. Frazer-Nash Consultancy
44th. NHS Scotland
45th. GXO Logistics
46th. Bombardier Services UK
47th. Rider Levett Bucknall
48th. Airbus
49th. Expleo
50th. GE Aerospace
The Forces in Business Awards is the world’s largest celebration of military veterans in second careers. Our mission is to showcase, highlight and promote the huge value that ex-servicemen and women bring to employers in all sectors and the wider economy, often enabled by the skills and values they gained during their time in the military. Click here for more information.
