Meet the Judges at the Welsh Veterans Awards 2023

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Phillip Morgan – Sales Manager for Bridgend Audi, part of the Sinclair Group

I am the Sales Manager for Bridgend Audi, part of the Sinclair Group. I have been at Bridgend Audi for some 20 years, previously working with other brands within the motor trade sector following my 7-year service in the HM forces (Army). I have four Grandchildren and live in Bridgend.

We service, maintain and retail all types of Audi from the Audi A1 to the new all electric Audi Etron GT RS. Bridgend Audi was recognised as the Number 1 Approved Centre in the UK in 2021 and consistently comes in the top 10 for the industry recognised Q Power. We take extreme pride in our position within the community and see supporting the Veteran’s Awards as a great union for us.

Bridgend Audi was first involved with the Veterans Awards in 2020, I was present at the 2022 and have been truly inspired by the outstanding efforts and contributions of everyone involved. To see some of the endeavours and accomplishments of the ex-service personnel is remarkable. I am really excited to be participating in the judging panel this year and meeting and learning about the 2023 finalists.

Francesca Bamsey – Senior Associate Solicitor

I am a specialist military solicitor at Hugh James based in our Cardiff office. I work within the military team representing serving and former military personnel.

I am delighted to be part of the Welsh Veterans Awards Judging Panel this year. Since it’s launch in 2019, my firm Hugh James have been proud sponsors of the Veterans Awards and I have attended the majority of the events held in Wales, England and Scotland and I was honoured to be asked to present an award at the Scottish Veterans Awards in April 2023.

I am looking forward to hearing the inspiring stories and recognising the fantastic achievements of our finalists this year and celebrating their success at the Welsh Veterans Awards in July.

 

Kathryn Wing, Director of Quality and Compliance Director at the Educ8 Training Group

Kathryn Wing is the Director of Quality and Compliance at the Educ8 Training Group, who offer a range of fully-funded Apprenticeship Programmes across Wales.  Educ8 are proud sponsors of the Veteran Owned Business Award, a fantastic category showcasing a range of inspirational businesses and passionate business owners.

“This is the second year I have represented the Educ8 Group on the judging panel and I continue to be inspired by the individuals and organisations nominated.  The contribution veterans make to the Welsh economy should not be under-estimated.  The nominations have been of an exceptionally high standard and the winners deserve to highlighted as a group, determined to give something back to their community”

 

Lisa Rawlings  – Regional Armed Forces Covenant Liaison Officer, Gwent

I am the Regional Armed Forces Covenant Liaison Officer for the 5 local authorities that constitutes Gwent. A role I have had for the past six years and one that I enjoy immensely. I am also the vice chair of VAPC Wales and co-run 2 veteran hubs with a third to open this year.

I spent 25 years in the Royal Air Force as a Flight Operations Manager, from which I served worldwide. I have 2 daughters, Scarlett (17) and Holly (23).

I have followed the Veteran Awards since its inception and last year I was fortunate to win the Role Model of the Year and Overall Champion 2022. I look forward to reading all the amazing work that is ongoing in Wales.

 

Peter Davies – Army Veteran, Business Owner, Regional Director, Wales (ABF The Soldiers’ Charity).

Peter Davies is a former long-serving British soldier and a fifth-generation member of a family with a proud Army tradition. With over 23 years of regular service in the British Army, Peter has a deep appreciation for the mission of the Veterans Awards.

Currently serving as a Regional Director for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity in Wales, Peter is passionate about promoting its work and engaging with a diverse range of audiences to raise support and funds for those in need. In 2016, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours military list, recognizing his outstanding service to the British Army.

In addition to his work with ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Peter is also a director of Gum Blitzer Ltd, an external commercial cleaning company that provides top-quality services to businesses in the UK. He takes pride in leading a team that is dedicated to delivering exceptional results and maintaining strong relationships with clients.

Outside of work, Peter is an avid adventurer and loves to take on new challenges. He has completed the Toughest Footrace on Earth, the Marathon des Sables, along with over 100 marathons worldwide. He has also cycled in America and the French Alps, trekked to Everest Base Camp and Mount Toubkal, and recently trekked 100km across the Sahara & Jordanian deserts and climbed the highest mountain in Jordan, Um Dami. He believes in living life to the fullest and making the most of every opportunity.

As a judge for the Welsh Veterans Awards, Peter brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. He understands the challenges faced by veterans and their families and is committed to recognizing and celebrating their contributions and achievements.

 

 

Nicholas Ledingham – Chief Operating Officer, Credas Technology Ltd, Cardiff

Nicholas is a former Royal Navy Artificer and Officer

Since leaving the Navy I have held board level positions in multiple industry sectors, leading multi-national and multi-cultural teams across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Having experienced first-hand the breadth of talent that exists in our Armed Forces, I am proud to be able to join in recognising the achievements and initiatives of the 2023 finalists. As a leader within one of leading tech ventures in Wales, I am pleased to support the Welsh Veterans Awards.

 

 

Colonel David Hammond – Head of engagement RFCA Wales

David is a former regular Army Commanding Officer.

Since leaving the Army in 2007 he has operated at board level in the overseas security and sustainable energy sectors, where amongst other things, he has raised funding for a broad portfolio of overseas energy-related projects, as well as overseeing Intellectual Property Rights development programmes and business start-ups.  Currently, in the UK he is the head of engagement for the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’  Association for Wales.

Away from work he has been actively involved within the voluntary sector. He was Commandant of the Dyfed and Glamorgan Army Cadet Force from 2012-2015 and Colonel Cadets for Wales from 2015 to 2019. He is the chair of trustees for the veterans charity Valley Veterans, based in the Rhondda; is chair of the business advisory group to the Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services (CWVYS); is Chair of the Army Cadets Charitable Trust (ACCT) Cymru/Wales, and is a trustee of the Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust (MSTC).

 

Jack Dickinson – Solicitor, Hugh James

I am a military solicitor at Hugh James, based at our head office in Cardiff. I specialise in providing legal representation and legal services for veterans and currently serving members of the armed forces.

I am also involved with various groups in the veterans community, and fundraising for key veterans charities.

Hugh James have proudly sponsored the Veterans Awards since 2019, and I have seen the awards grow from strength to strength. I look forward to meeting all the finalists and celebrating the difference they have made,

and their incredible achievements after transitioning to civilian life.

 

Clive Hamilton – MD  Pinnacle Complete Office Solutions 

I am a Navy Veteran serving for 6 years with the RFA in the 80`s and a Falklands veteran.

Currently the Group MD of Pinnacle Complete Office Solutions where we are proud Silver Armed Forces Covenant holders and proud to support our Armed Forces & Veterans Communities as best we can.

I am also currently a Trustee with Woody`s Lodge serving as Co.Chair to the Board of Trustees which I passionately support their work in caring, supporting and signposting our Veterans, Reservists & Blue Light Emergency Services.

As a past nominee for the Welsh Veterans Awards I am  honoured to be part of their journey in highlighting how great the Veterans Community is in Wales.

 

 

Pip Lee-Woolf MRICS, Commercial Manager at Vigilance

I started my career working for various commercial property consultancies within London, qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor in 2015, before joining Vigilance in 2020; who supply private security services to the real estate sector UK-wide. Since our founding in 2008, our military heritage has been at the heart of everything we do, proven by our discipline, integrity & commitment to excellence. The vast majority of our operational staff are recruited from the Brigade of Gurkhas, and His Majesty’s Armed Forces. Their valuable skills & experience are a major asset to our business and our clients; they have a professionalism that is unmatched in the industry. In 2020 we proudly received the Armed Forces Covenant “ERS Gold Award”, reflecting our ongoing endeavours to further the Armed Forces’ agenda within Vigilance. We have supported the Veterans Awards for a number of years and it’s an honour for me to join the 2023 judging panel.