Meet our Shortlisted Finalists for the English Veterans Awards 2026!
The Veterans Awards are proud to announce our shortlisted Finalists for this years English Veterans Awards, due to be held at the 4* De Vere Cotswolds Water Park on the 1st October 2026 sponsored by CXC Ltd. Our Veterans Awards across the UK are sponsored by our main sponsor Thales Group. The awards are in support of The Army Benevolent Fund and The Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity.
Well done to everyone who has been shortlisted as finalists. Every year we have more and more applications and this year yet again we had the most amount of applications received for any of our previous Veterans Awards in the UK and the shortlisting process was extremely difficult. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who put forward nominations.
We want to Inspire our future service leavers that great things can happen. Its you who will act as role models and in some cases mentors, remember Positivity breeds Positivity.
Our Finalists are :
Role Model of the Year- Sponsored by Harlequin Printing and packaging
| Sarah Robinson |
| Matt Wildgoose |
| Dean Phillips |
| John Hart |
| Paul Thomas |
| Ben Keegan |
| Michelle Steel |
| Jon Colley |
Inspiration of the Year Award – Sponsored by CS PM Consultancy
| Shona Buckley |
| Simon Poole |
| Sam Louwers |
| Mandy Hickson |
| Chris Thrall |
| Barri-Jon Graham |
| Nicholas Wintle |
| David Bathgate |
The Community Award – Sponsored by Strongmind Resiliency Training
| Colin Robertson |
| Martin Flint-Johnson |
| John Stephenson |
| David De Souza |
| Barri-Jon Graham |
| Edward Mackenzie |
Military Charity Fundraiser of the Year – Sponsored by Forces Support Ltd
| Chris Ackerman |
| Dean Griffin |
| Ashley Winter |
| Tony Murray |
| Hayley Court |
| Christopher Jepson |
Health & Well-being Award – Sponsored by Company X Consulting
| Beacon Counselling Trust |
| ARK at Egwood CIC |
| The David Ellis Charity |
| Solace in Devon |
| Deconviction |
| Men Walking & Talking |
| Ex-forces to communtys cic |
| Stevie Stones |
Leader of the Year Award – Sponsored by Leader Connect (The Leadership Book)
| Anthony Frith |
| Shona Buckley |
| Nathan Potter |
| Ian Millen |
| Michael Sykes OBE |
| Phil Pegram |
| Michelle Steel |
Entrepreneur of the Year- Sponsored by Hugh James
| Mike Foster |
| Richard Libby |
| Dean Adkins |
| Gareth Evans |
Employer of the Year- Sponsored by Rebecca & Tim Tomalin Reeves
| Consortio Security |
| The Colleges Partnership |
| VIVO Defence Services |
| Holly Tree Lodge Care home |
| Networkology |
| ESCO Maritime Solutions |
| Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company |
Veteran Owned Business of the Year- Sponsored by Serica Energy
| Consortio Security |
| Click Marketing |
| Exactly Tech Ltd |
| Forces Transition Group |
Veterans Group of the Year – Sponsored by Thales
| The Hull FC Foundation’s Veterans’ Programme |
| Veterans In Crisis |
| The Staffordshire 3 |
| Military vs Cancer |
| Veterans Outreach Support |
| East Durham Veterans Trust |
| The Veterans Hub Isle of Wight CIC |
| Blue Van Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs and Drop In CIO |
Volunteer of the year – Sponsored by NAFESE
| John Scivier |
| Heather Watson |
| Dean Griffin |
| Stuart Cook |
| Leon Stokes |
| Richard Grocock |
Lifetime Achievement – Sponsored by DXC Technology
| John Scivier |
| Steve Hughes |
| Michael Sykes OBE |
| Brian ‘George’ Dent MBE |
| Brian Coulthard |
| Edward Mackenzie |
Cadet Adult Instructor of the Year – Sponsored by Thales
| Matt Wildgoose |
| Ross Lloyd-Bennett |
| Julie Evans |
| Dawn Watts |
Reservist of the Year Award – Sponsored by Objective Technologies Ltd
| Hayley Court |
| Dana Evans |
| Richard Martins |
| Carl Williams |
The Winners will be chosen by our Independent Judging Panel. The Judging panels names and profiles will be released over the coming weeks.
Our Shortlisted finalists will be filmed in the fantastic Location of the Soldiers of Gloucester Museum, Custom House on the 1st September. These videos will then be used on our extensive media campaign and will also be played on the evening itself, you will also receive your finalist certificate & Badge on this fantastic morning and get to network with the other finalists, sponsors and dignitaries. There is also the option to look around the museum prior or after your filming slot.
The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum offers a rich timeline detailing the historical contributions of Gloucestershire soldiers, from their origins in the 1600s to recent conflicts. Nestled in Gloucester Docks, the museum proudly preserves 300 years of social history in a military setting.
The museum’s research team, comprising experienced volunteer researchers, provides detailed archival investigations. They utilize unique records such as officer records, enlistment records, photographs, newspapers, regimental journals, and a comprehensive WWI database with over 40,000 soldier records.
All our Shortlisted Finalists will have the opportunity to purchase tickets between 19th August – 15th September.
We are Charitable Not for Profit Organisation and all money above costs from our awards will put back into our Veteran community via our small grants scheme for small grass routes charitable organisations that support our veteran community and with a turnover of less than 100k per year. Details of this scheme will be released over the coming months.
For more details please get in touch.
