A leader of an organization, 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 organization, 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 recognized and represented than their male counterparts both in business and the military, this important category recognises former servicewomen who have committed themselves to being a role model or mentor to other female military 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 program, network or initiative designed to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. This could specifically be an initiative designed to support veterans, military leavers and/or the wider Military Community in the workplace. It could be a broader D&I initiative in which the military community is one beneficiary. Or it could be a D&I initiative which is not specifically designed for the Military Community but is ran by a military veteran or veterans. The judges will assess the overall impact of the initiative.

An organization that has demonstrated a great desire to attract, retain and support veteran employees. Judges will look at the employer’s overall commitment to the Military Community in the last 18 months, including its efforts to recruit them, support them in their transition and help them grow through the organization, as well as examples of recognizing 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 recognizes veterans 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.

This category is for veterans who have taken the bold step of starting their own business. The judges will assess the growth of the company since it was launched by the candidate, as well as results in the last 18 months. They will examine the candidate’s leadership and strategy, standout achievements and customer testimonials, as well as the actual performance of the company (turnover, profit, employees etc.).

A veteran who has demonstrated outstanding innovation or vision that has contributed to an organization’s or other people’s success or helped to disrupt a business or industry. This could be innovation on an operational or project level within an organization or something that has impacted other people or organizations in the form of a new product or idea. Judges will examine how innovative and visionary the leader has been by looking at individual achievements and how they’ve changed the way something is consumed or done.

A member of the Military Community (including veterans, reservists and family members of current or former service personnel) who has overcome adversity to achieve success in the civilian world, or inspired others in the community through their commitment, dedication and support. Could also be a member of the Military Community who has inspired others through exceptional behaviour, conduct or perseverance.

This category looks at the achievements of veterans throughout their whole career, both in the military and their accomplishments after leaving the military. The judges will look at each candidate’s contributions to defending American freedom during their time in the military, as well as what they have contributed to American life, society and the economy through their achievements since leaving the military.

This category recognizes veterans 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 military, 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 recognizes outstanding achievement (or achievements) from a veteran since leaving the military. This could be somebody who has demonstrated outstanding commercial results, transformed an organization or culture, significantly improved the way an organization is run, achieved something outstanding for the Military Community, or inspired others to achieve.

This category recognises the importance of reservists by recognizing those who have demonstrated excellent achievements in their career while also dedicating themselves to the commitments required of the Armed 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 Armed Forces and committed themselves as a reservist.

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

A veteran who has not only transitioned successfully to the business world but has been a strong and effective role model to other military leavers in the last 18 months. The judges will examine each candidate’s commitment to supporting other military leavers through specific examples of how they’ve acted as a role model, as well as demonstrations of their own leadership and business success.

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

This category looks at veterans at all stages of their career to pinpoint an overall veteran of the year. The judges will examine achievements in the last 18 months of each candidate’s career, looking at demonstrations of business excellence and leadership, examples of being a role model to others, as well as efforts to support or represent the military community as a whole, either as an ambassador or by actively trying to bridge the gap between the military and the business world.

A leader of an organization, or a leader of a department, team or division within a large organization, 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.