The flagship showcase of veteran talent and forces friendly employers is returning to Glasgow for another landmark celebration on 28 January – and today the finalists are revealed.
Talented individuals from across the Armed Forces community – including veterans, reservists, military family members and forces friendly employers – have been named on the shortlist for the seventh annual Scottish Forces in Business Awards, revealed today ahead of the gala ceremony on 28 January in Glasgow.
Now firmly established as a cornerstone of Scotland’s business and military calendar, the Awards form part of the wider Forces in Business Awards programme – the world’s largest business celebration of the Armed Forces community – which showcases the contributions of service leavers and forces friendly organisations across Scotland, the UK and the USA.
Each year, more than 15,000 people transition out of the British Armed Forces, bringing with them skills, leadership qualities and values developed through elite training and operational environments. Yet many still encounter barriers when pursuing civilian careers, from outdated misconceptions about military service to a lack of visible role models who have successfully transitioned into senior or specialist roles across different industries.
Founded in 2018, the Forces in Business Awards were created to challenge those barriers head-on. Through high-profile ceremonies in London, Glasgow and Washington DC, the Awards have played a key role in reshaping how business leaders perceive veterans – not as damaged by their service, but as a powerful source of innovation, resilience and leadership.
Since launch, the Awards have recognised more than 2,500 veterans and reservists, drawing thousands of employers to flagship events on both sides of the Atlantic. This year’s Scottish Awards attracted hundreds of nominations from across the country, with an exceptional breadth of talent represented from across the public, private and third sectors.
Air Marshal Steve Shell (Retd), 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.”
Together, the finalists underline how veteran talent is helping organisations tackle complex challenges, drive productivity and build high-performing workplaces. The winners will be revealed on 28 January at the gala ceremony, known as the ‘Oscars of veteran employment’, which returns to Scotland’s largest ballroom in the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central.
The celebration will be hosted by Scottish broadcasting legend Sally Magnusson, who will lead an evening of awards, guest speakers and live entertainment. It will also feature contributions from senior figures spanning government, business and the Armed Forces community, including Graeme Dey, Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans.
Beyond the spectacle of the evening, the Awards serve an important purpose: helping employers address pressing skills shortages and productivity challenges by better engaging with the Armed Forces talent pool. As the UK looks to strengthen economic performance and close skills gaps, veterans represent an underutilised solution hiding in plain sight.
“The Forces in Business Awards exist to make visible what is too often overlooked: the extraordinary value of those leaving military service, to employers across all sectors,” said Ben Rossi, founder of the Forces in Business Awards. “This year’s shortlist speaks volumes about how far Scotland has come in recognising veteran talent – not only as high performers, but as leaders shaping growth, innovation and resilience across the economy.
“These finalists demonstrate that a military background can often now be a springboard, not a limitation, for business success, especially when employers are aware of veteran talent. Supporting transition is not charity or corporate tokenism – it’s a proven way to access exceptional people. We are proud to celebrate them in Glasgow on 28 January.”
THE FINALISTS – 2026 SCOTTISH FORCES IN BUSINESS AWARDS
ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
FDM Group
Graham Clark, ManpowerGroup UK
NHS National Services Scotland
OVO Energy
Stuart Currie, Frazer Nash
The Future Group
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Adam Hardie, Johnston Carmichael
Craig Douglas, Waste Cloud
Craig Revie, ASCO
Emma Watson Mack, Veterans Scotland
Mark Laird, Lairds AV
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
Babcock
Barclays
Galliford Try
Mott MacDonald
SP Energy Networks
Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland
ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AWARD
Jenny Findlay, Sodexo
Pamela McNeill, Galliford Try
Russell Martin Gordon, Raytheon UK
Ryan Cowie, Telent
Sama Ndongong, NHS National Services Scotland
Simon Young, Ceiba Renewables
INSPIRATION OF THE YEAR
Alexander Niven, A N Heating Services
Gary Brown, Balfour Beatty
Imran Jamal, Barclays
Jaime Garner, Hero Paws SCIO
Norman McConnachie, Yogi & Cindy Bears
Pauline Cherrington, Lothians Veterans Centre
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Andrew Geelan, BAE Systems
Craig Hallas, Mott MacDonald
Kevin Charlesworth, K-Rail-Tech
Norman Yarwood, FDM Group
Paul Clement, Taylor Wimpey East Scotland
Ronnie Proctor MBE, Angus Council
MILITARY VALUES IN BUSINESS AWARD
Andrew Gardner, Sulzer GT Aero
Dan Greenwood, Mott MacDonald
Dr Tim Wigham, Exceed Energy
Gareth “Gaz” George, FDM Group
Graham McGuinness, CP Garage & CP Engineering Dundee
Paul Breslin, Igne Group
NEW SERVICE LEAVER OF THE YEAR
David Meechan, SP Energy Networks
Ian Crews, Scottish Water
Liam Andrews, BAE Systems
Martin Murphy, NHS National Services Scotland
Steven Bell, SP Energy Networks
RESERVIST OF THE YEAR
Beth Studholme, BAE Systems
Mark Flannigan, SP Energy Networks
Miles Hutchinson, FDM Group
Rhidian Jones, Virgin Money
Sean King, Volkswagen Financial Services
Stephanie Taylor, Lloyds Banking Group
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR
Callum Chen, Wyman-Gordon
Darren Cockburn, BAE Systems
Gavin Causer, BAE Systems
Kieran Russell, Morgan Stanley
Lorraine Douthwaite, The Clarus Networks Group
ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR
Carl Graham, GE Aerospace
Craig Murney, NHS National Services Scotland
James Storey, BAE Systems
Kenneth Kyle, Scottish Water
Scott Findlay, Fairfield Engineering Solutions
Shona Morgan, Mott MacDonald
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.
