Meet the Judges at the English Veterans Awards 2025

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Grant Cochran – Business Development Manager, T&M, Company X Consulting

Grant Cochran joined Company X Consulting (CXC) in October 2017 following a distinguished 22-year career in the Royal Corps of Signals, where he served as a Yeoman of Signals. After leaving the military, he worked as an Independent Consultant and later as a permanent employee of a multinational defence company, contributing to a range of defence and government projects.

At CXC, Grant initially served as a Principal Consultant in a Ministry of Defence (MOD) client role, acting as Live Services Operations Manager for seven years. During this time, he also took on the role of Company Account Manager. Following a recent company restructuring, Grant has transitioned into the C Suite as Business Development Manager for Time & Materials (T&M). In this role, he is responsible for managing and supporting the company’s Principal Consultants throughout their careers.

A passionate advocate for the veterans community, Grant serves as Chairman of the CXC Benevolent Trust, supporting former service personnel. While this is his first time judging, he has previously had the honour of presenting awards at previous EVA events.

This is my first time on the judging panel and I am really looking forward to representing CXC in recognising the diverse talents and amazing achievements of my fellow veterans.

 

John Hart – Thales UK

John Hart is an accomplished Army veteran with 24 years of service in the Royal Engineers, specializing in Digital Communications and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) & Search. His operational deployments include Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan, reflecting a broad and valuable field experience.

Since leaving the Army, John has spent the past three years working at Thales as a Field Service Manager. In this capacity, he leads a team of deployed Field Service Engineers who support the Ministry of Defence (MOD) across various product lines. His leadership and hands-on experience contribute significantly to operational readiness and equipment support.

Recently, John was elected as Co-Chair of the Thales UK Armed Forces Network, where he takes an active role in assisting members of the wider Armed Forces community with employment opportunities and integration into civilian careers.

Looking ahead, John is excited to serve on the judging panel for the 2025 Veterans Awards, where he will help recognize and celebrate the achievements of fellow veterans.

Angie Shadrake – Human Resources CS PM Consultancy 

“I’m the HR Manager at CS PM Consultancy, where I focus on recruiting and supporting ex-military professionals into rewarding consultancy careers. Our company provides highly skilled Project Managers to the defence and nuclear industry, and I’m proud that every consultant we place comes from a forces background.

Having seen first-hand the leadership, discipline, and project delivery expertise that veterans bring, I’ve shaped our recruitment approach to hire exclusively from the ex-forces community. My role is about more than just filling positions – it’s about helping individuals successfully transition into the civilian working environment, while ensuring our clients benefit from people who thrive in complex, high-pressure environments.

At CS PM Consultancy, I lead on recruitment strategy, building relationships with the candidates and an understanding of the challenges of transitioning from the military.  I’m passionate about unlocking the potential of those who have served and aligning their skills with challenging, impactful projects in the defence and nuclear sector.”

Kind Regards

Quentin Wilkins – Business Development Manager (SoW) – Company X Consulting Ltd

Quentin is a British Army veteran having served for 30 years. His operational experiences include Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, Northern Ireland as well as other support operations such as the military contribution to the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leonne.
Quentin left the military 2 years ago and is proud to back within the veteran community with CXC. Quentin’s current role sees him responsible for identifying new business opportunities and fostering strategic partnerships to develop capability growth across the organisation.
This is my first time on the judging panel and I am honoured to be representing CXC in recognising the diverse talents and amazing achievements of my fellow veterans.

Matt Williamson-  Serica Energy

An Experienced long serving specialist in Telecommunications within the UK energy sector, as well as a serving army reservist for over 25 years. I am Employed by Serica Energy who positively support my Reserve activities and actively looks for and supports veterans/Reserves in industry.
I am an active volunteer member of 167 Regt RLC, a local National Reserve Regiment based in Grantham, I have lived in and served in many units across the UK in this time having served in both the Royal Signals and RLC.
Having served for a long time as well as working in a highly skilled and demanding field. I have experienced what veterans and reserves can bring to industry and being employed with in the Offshore Energy sector, I actively use my experience in promoting Veterans and Reserves.
I am honoured to have been invited back as a judge for the veteran’s awards, I am really looking forward to seeing some of the amazing differences veterans have made.

Neville Holmes – Chief Executive Wessex Reserve Forces and Cadets Association

Brigadier (Retired) Neville Holmes is Chief Executive at Wessex RFCA whose role is to help connect Defence with Society and are the essential, effective and enduring partner that supports Reserves, Cadets and the wider Armed Forces community across the South West and the Channel Islands.  Wessex RFCAs are intimately involved in promoting the Armed Forces Covenant and manage the Employer Recognition Scheme across the region.

Prior to his current role, he served in the Infantry (Devonshire and Dorset Regiment and, from 2007, The Rifles) for 30 years and has deployed on operations to Northern Ireland, with the UN to Cyprus, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan with his last tour, for 12 months, in 2017 as Chief Future Plans in the US led NATO Headquarters.  He was appointed MBE in 2011 and awarded the NATO Meritorious Service Medal in 2018.

Passionate about supporting veterans and is the Rifles County Colonel for Somerset, Chair of Trustees of the Rifles and Somerset Light Infantry Association, a Trustee of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment and President of his Royal British Legion branch.  As such, he finds it an immense honour to support the English Veterans Awards and is both humbled, and inspired, by all of the finalists.

 

 

 

Sophie Wheeler – Hugh James Solicitors 

I am a specialist military solicitor at Hugh James based at our Cardiff office. I work within our military team representing both veterans and serving personnel.
Hugh James has proudly supported the Veteran Awards since its inception in 2019, and I am honoured to be part of such an inspiring initiative. It is a privilege to serve as a panel member for this year’s English Veterans Awards. I feel incredibly fortunate to play a role in recognising the outstanding achievements and contributions of our remarkable military community

Garrath Williams – Veterans Can…

A British & Australian Army Veteran, Garrath is a Co-Founder of the Veterans Can… CIC and also the Director of Veteran Engagement at JobOppO.

 With experience in the charity and commercial sectors as well as being a former Expert Advisor to the previous Min VA, Garrath is an advocate of all Veteran matters, who seeks to collaborate with others to change the Veteran narrative around the world.  

 Garrath is proud to have been asked to join the judging panel for the English Veterans Awards this year and looks forward to acknowledging the achievements of the shortlisted finalists.