Meet the Judges at the Scottish Veterans Awards 2026
Chris Watson – Resilience Lead/Veteran
I am a Resilience Lead at Aberdeen plc a global Investment company, based in our Headquarters in Edinburgh. The company actively supports service leavers and veterans, having demonstrated its commitment signing the Armed Forces Covenant in 2013 and being awarded Gold in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in 2018.
Prior to my current role I served for 24 years in the Light Infantry and the Rifles leaving as the Regimental Serjeant Major of the Second Battalion the Rifles in 2017.
As a former Chair of Aberdeen’s Armed Forces Network I have and continue to support Veterans charities including the Scottish Veterans Awards. I am looking forward to joining the judging panel for the Awards this year and to hear about the shortlisted finalists.
Emma Davies – Veterans Scotland
Emma Davies is an Army Veteran having served for 13 years with the Army Reserve. Despite leaving the military in 2015, she remains involved in the Veterans world have spent 6 years supporting service leaver and Veteran employment in Scotland and has been involved with the Veterans Awards since it’s launch in Scotland in 2020.
Currently, Emma is working as a Project Lead with Veterans Scotland. Her current project involves her engaging with and supporting local authorities in Scotland deliver their Armed Forces Covenant obligations. She achieves this by encouraging greater cooperation and collaboration between Veterans Scotland 80+ military charity members and the 32 local authorities in Scotland as well as feeding back into policy development within local, Scottish and UK Governments.
Outside of work, Emma is a volunteer Scout leader, leading a team of 17 volunteers to support over 95 young people gain skills for life outside of the usual school and sports clubs. Last year that included taking a group of 32 children, ranging in age from 9-14, on a 10 day trip to Switzerland – by coach (!) and arranging numerous fundraising activities which raised over ?3,000 for charity. On top of that, being married and a mum of two young boys keeps Emma busy!
Buster Bown, Customer Support Manger and Armed Forces Network Chairman, Thales Group
Buster has been with Thales since 2006 and is currently the Product Support Team Lead for Naval Systems in OME Glasgow, He is also one of the two Co-Chairs for the Thales UK Armed Forces Network.
Buster is a Royal Navy Veteran, with 2 years’ service on ships and 25 years’ service in Submarines. He routinely involves himself in the promotion of service-life skills within the civilian workplace and conducts work with the Thales UK Military Insight Events. He also collaborates in recruitment events with the Officers Association (Scotland).
Buster is a member of the West of Scotland Submarine Association committee and serves as a governor on the board of the Community Veterans Support Charity, based in Glasgow.
Susie Hamilton – Scottish Veterans Commissioner
The current Scottish Veterans Commissioner is Lieutenant Commander (retired) Susie Hamilton, who took up her post on 22 August 2022.
Born and educated in Edinburgh, Susie served in the WRNS and the Royal Navy as an officer in the Marine Engineering Branch. She undertook a number of shore and sea appointments which included operational service in the Adriatic and the Gulf.
On retiring from the Royal Navy as a Lieutenant Commander she worked for a short period in industry, followed by volunteering work with Scottish Veterans Residences. She then joined the senior management team of SVR as the Head of External Relations, responsible for Fundraising, Marketing and Communications.
Natalie Lewis, Scotland and North East Engagement Officer, Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity
Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) is the principal charity of the Royal Navy and exists to support every sailor, marine and their families, for life. As the Engagements Officer for Scotland with the RNRMC, I work within the Fundraising team. My role focuses on maximising engagement with the Charity’s key stakeholder groups in Scotland. This includes raising awareness of the support services available to beneficiary groups and promoting ways to get involved in our charity projects and campaigns, such as The Submarine Family (TSF).
Being the daughter of an RAF veteran, I have been connected to the military community from birth. I went on to serve proudly in the Royal Navy for 16 and a half years as a Writer, continuing my family’s legacy of service. I am married to Kris, a fellow Royal Navy veteran who completed an impressive 25 years of service before retiring from the service in July 2024. Together, we have two wonderful children: Addison, who is 14 and Sonny who is 9.
I am deeply honoured to have been invited to join this year’s Veterans Scotland Awards judging panel. It is a privilege to help celebrate the remarkable achievements of veterans who continue to inspire and make a lasting difference in their communities, embodying the values of service, dedication, and resilience that define the armed forces.
Iain Davidson MBA MSc, Cyber Security Portfolio Deputy Lead
Iain Davidson is a Cyber Risk manager with DXC Technology, managing a team of Security Engineers and Security Delivery Leaders across multiple accounts in the Public & Private Sector. He is also a member of the Leadership Team of DXC’s Armed Forces Network supporting existing Veterans, Reservists, Cadet Force Volunteers and Service Family members and helping to support others to join and transition into the Civilian workforce.
Iain is also a Reservist and is currently Deputy Commander (Reserves) in 1 (UK) Signal Brigade. He also helps NATO Reserves develop their Cyber Reserve Capability as Chair of the Confederation of Interallied Reserve Officers Cyber Committee.
In any spare time he is a Scuba Diving Instructor, member of Abertay University Court and enjoys watching Scotland play Rugby, Hillwalking, Skiing and Swimming.
John Gillie – Engagement Officer, ABF
The role encompasses briefing a wide range of audiences both military and civilian on the work of the Charity to encourage support to regional fundraising, provision of fundraising support to the Regional Office and Events, including organising events, establishing and maintaining key relationships with Army units both Regular and Reserve and continual development of our volunteer fundraising team.As an army veteran himself, John completed a 39 year exemplary career in 2020. He feels so privileged and honoured having the opportunity to once again read over all the wonderful stories that make our veterans so special in Scotland. He looks forward to the SVA’s annually, listening to how successful our veterans have been throughout the year.He is married to his wife of 38 years Sherrilyn with 3 sons, Liam (36), Danny (34) & Ewen (29) all currently living life to the full both home & abroad. A close family who enjoy socialising together.“I was very pleased once again to be asked to be a judging panel member. As a veteran, this event is always one of many highlights I’m lucky enough to attend on an annual basis. It fills me with pride & emotion watching as the finalists get their deserved recognition on the night highlighting what improvements they make within their local community & nationally. Once again, I’ll look forward to celebrating the success of our Scottish Military Veteran Community in April along with those companies that support us”
Nikolai Llewellyn, Solicitor, Hugh James
“Nikolai is a solicitor within the military department at Hugh James, where they specialise in supporting current and former military personnel with a wide range of service-related health conditions and injuries. Their legal work places a particular focus on occupational disease, including noise-induced hearing loss, non-freezing cold injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Driven by a deep admiration for the armed forces, Nikolai brings both professional expertise and personal respect to every case. Growing up inspired by the courage and resilience of military heroes—ranging from the defenders of Rorke’s Drift and the Zulu warriors to the quiet leadership of Captain Dick Winters and Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment—Nikolai developed a lasting appreciation for those who have served. A lifelong fascination with military aviation, especially the B-17 Flying Fortress and the iconic Lancaster bomber, has further shaped their perspective on the profound sacrifices made by generations of servicemen and women.
In his role at Hugh James, Nikolai is proud to stand alongside those who have served, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights protected. Their work is grounded in a daily reminder of the strength, dedication, and quiet resolve of the armed forces community.
Outside of the office, Nikolai has demonstrated his personal commitment to military causes by raising funds for charities, including completing the renowned Fan Dance—an SAS selection test—within the required time parameters.
With a steadfast respect for those who have worn and continue to wear the uniform, Nikolai is honoured to contribute to events that recognise the courage and sacrifice of our armed forces, past and present.”
Danny Gemmell – Be In -Unity
Danny is the Founder and Director of Be-inn Unity, a social enterprise that exists to inspire and educate communities, so that individuals are empowered to thrive. Danny served with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards for 9 years and is now a serving member of the Army Reserves with 32 Signal Regiment. Danny launched the social enterprise in 2021 and they have grown over the years to deliver education programmes across several local authorities in Scotland, working closely with young people, educators and business leaders, to create environments that promote meaningful relationships. Danny also launched The Veteran ERV, a Mental Health and Suicide Prevention peer support group for veterans. Be-inn Unity won the Health and Wellbeing Award in 2023 and have sponsored the category every year since.
Ciara Irwin – RFCA Lowland
Ciara Irwin is the Head of Communications at Lowland Reserve Forces & Cadets’ Association, where she engages with Cadet and Reserve units across the Lowlands of Scotland, providing support and promotion to them to increase understanding of their service and strengthen links with the wider Defence and civilian community.
Ciara runs the Cadet Adult Recognition Awards (CARAs) yearly, which are designed to provide Cadets with a space to recognise the Cadet Adult Instructors that have made a difference in their lives. Year in, year out, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) selflessly dedicate their time and energy to ensure Cadets get the most from their Cadet Experience.
It means a great deal to me that these volunteers and all those supporting the Armed Forces Community are recognised, and I am grateful to be part of this year’s judging panel for the Scottish Veterans Awards.
Allan Doak – Materials Logistics and Purchasing Manager
Allan is a proud veteran how served 12 years with the Royal Air Force supporting the Nimrod Fleet both at home and abroad, as well as other out of area deployments. Allan left the military in 1998 joining SERCo Defence whilst undertaking various training courses with a view to joining the Oil and Gas Industry. Allan has held various positions with Operators on Drilling Campaigns and he now works for oil and gas operator Serica Energy as the Materials Logistics and Purchasing Manager and is a member of their Armed Forces Support Group whose mission is to support their veterans, reservists and forces families, whilst also raising industry awareness of the great benefits of employing veterans. The Group also provide funding and fundraising for various military charities and are a founding member and co-chair of the Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) Armed Forces Working Group.
Allan is honoured to join the judging panel for the English Veterans Awards this year and to see the fantastic achievements of the shortlisted finalists.
