A leader of an organisation, or a leader of a department or division within one, who has demonstrated outstanding business leadership in the last 18 months. To assess this category, the judges will look at the progress and growth of the organisation, or the relevant department within it, and how the candidate has contributed to that success, both through their leadership and through their own individual achievements.

With women often less recognised and represented than their male counterparts both in business and the armed forces, this important category recognises former servicewomen who have committed themselves to being a role model or mentor to other female service leavers and/or women in business, or who have demonstrated strong commitment to advocating, promoting and supporting gender diversity in the military and/or business. It could also be former servicewomen who have inspired others because of gender biases or discrimination they have had to overcome in either their military or business career. The judges will assess the overall impact of their efforts in advancing gender diversity and/or empowering other women to succeed and overcome barriers.

This category recognises a specific programme, network or initiative designed to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. This could specifically be an initiative designed to support veterans, service leavers and/or the wider Armed Forces community in the workplace. It could be a broader D&I initiative in which the Armed Forces community is one beneficiary. Or it could be a D&I initiative which is not specifically designed for the Armed Forces community but is ran by a military veteran or veterans. The judges will assess the overall impact of the initiative.

An organisation that has demonstrated a great desire to attract, retain and support ex-forces personnel. Judges will look at the employer’s overall commitment to the ex-forces community in the last 18 months, including its efforts to recruit them, support them in their resettlement and help them grow through the organisation, as well as examples of recognising and promoting the skills of military service leavers and supporting reservists.

There is significant overlap between the engineering skills developed by servicemen and women in the military and those required in the business world. This award recognises ex-forces personnel who have carved out a successful second career and created excellent results for their employer by combining the technical knowledge, problem-solving skills and logical thinking of great engineers with their military-gained values.

A service leaver who has overcome adversity – during their military service, during their transition to civilian life or since he or she started a new career – to ultimately achieve success in the business world, or inspired other service leavers through their commitment, dedication and support. Could also be a veteran in business who has inspired others through exceptional behaviour, conduct or perseverance.

This category recognises ex-forces personnel who left the military less than three years ago and, through an effective transition, are already achieving great things in a second career. The judges will examine standout achievements since the candidates left the forces, including demonstrations of leadership or innovation, contributions to successful projects, and examples or testimonials that highlight the business potential and promise they have shown.

This category recognises an outstanding business achievement (or achievements) in the last 18 months from somebody who used to serve in the forces. This could be somebody who has demonstrated outstanding commercial results, transformed an organisation or culture, significantly improved the way an organisation is run, achieved something outstanding for the ex-forces community, or inspired others to achieve.

This category recognises the importance of British reservists by recognising those who have demonstrated excellent achievements in their career while also dedicating themselves to the commitments required of the Reserve Forces. Judges will assess each candidate’s business achievements in the last 18 months – including demonstrations of leadership or innovation, contributions to successful projects, and examples or testimonials that highlight their capabilities – as well as how they have acted as a strong ambassador for the British Armed Forces and committed themselves as a reservist.

A former serviceman or woman who began a post-military career in the last six years and has progressed quickly through an organisation or industry, demonstrating strong business results and leadership. The judges will examine each candidate’s accomplishments and progression since leaving the forces, with a particular emphasis on achievements in the last 18 months.

A leader of a small or medium-sized organisation, or a leader of a significant department/division within one, who has demonstrated outstanding business leadership in the last 18 months. To assess this category, the judges will look at the progress and growth of the organisation, or the relevant department within it, and how the candidate has contributed to that success, both through their leadership and through their own individual achievements.

A leader of an organisation, or a leader of a department, team or division within a large organisation, under the age of 40, who has progressed rapidly into a senior management role and demonstrated outstanding business leadership in the last 18 months. To assess this category, the judges will look at each candidate’s professional growth as well as the growth of their organisation, or the relevant part within it, and how the candidate has contributed to that success, both through their leadership and through their own individual achievements.