One day, one location, connecting the Armed Forces community with Forces Friendly companies

If the UK is to meet the government’s goal to be the best place in the world to be a veteran, the time is now to elevate the discourse from one focused on service leaver transition to something more holistic – encompassing a wider pool of stakeholders in support of key business priorities.

Workforce and supplier diversity has risen the agenda in recent years as organisations strive to advance positive social and economic change as well as business growth. Employing and partnering with communities who have traditionally been underrepresented in business can make companies and their supply chains more robust, resilient and innovative. Evidence also shows that consumers favour inclusive brands which prioritise social as well as financial value.

By hiring from the military community and using veteran-owned suppliers, organisations are not just helping those who served and their families to succeed in civilian life – crucially, they are accessing skills and values gained in a world-renowned training and operational environment.

To help unlock the power of the Armed Forces community in UK business, MilFest is the first ever event where organisations can meet veteran-owned businesses and the wider veteran talent pool in one place, aligning stakeholders including buyers, procurement managers, diversity leaders, recruiters, HR executives and ERGs on their shared goal to tap into this unique group.

Arrival & Networking

Welcome to the spectacular Grosvenor House London for the inaugural MilFest summit. Enter through the Ballroom entrance on Park Lane, check-in at the Registration Desk, grab a coffee and enjoy some networking before the show

Welcome

A short introduction to MilFest 2024, outlining the day ahead

Keynote Panel

Unlocking the power of the Armed Forces community in UK business

Industry Focus 1

This session delves into an industry at the heart of the UK economy – ENGINEERING – and its parallels with skills and values gained in the military

Break

Mid-morning refreshment and networking

Spotlight on..
IT & Cyber

This panel discussion brings together industry leaders in IT and cyber to share their learnings, insights and tips from transitioning from the military into the fast-growing and critical sectors of information technology and cybersecurity

Industry Focus 2

In this second Industry Focus of the day this session looks at another industry which powers UK businesses to succeed on a global scale and is reliant on military-gained skills and values – LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN

Executive Panel

Speaking the language of the military can contrast quite heavily with speaking the language of business – this panel brings together senior business leaders who have climbed to C-Suite and boardroom roles to discuss how members of the Armed Forces community can successfully achieve the same ascent

Lunch

Lunch break and networking

Spotlight on..
Starting a Business

Many people dream of being their own boss, but most businesses fail within five years. This panel gathers veterans who have thrived as entrepreneurs, delving into how to grow a business including securing funding and secrets to scalability

Future of ED&I

If the UK is to meet the government’s goal to be the best place in the world to be a veteran, the Armed Forces community must feature more heavily in companies’ ED&I strategies. In the final session of the day this panel will explore themes of workforce and supplier diversity, skills gaps and social value to consider the future of ED&I and the Armed Forces community’s role in it

Networking

Final chance to network and speak to exhibitors

Conference Close