Massive thanks to everyone who attended this year’s Welsh Veterans Awards hosted by Polly James and held at the 4* Vale Resort. The Awards were sponsored by Vindico and in Support of The Army Benevolent Fund and Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity It was such a fantastic event with a great atmosphere in the room in what was our largest Welsh Veterans Awards to date on our fifth year anniversary!

Well done to everyone who was shortlisted as finalists, we had a huge amount of applications and the shortlisting process was extremely difficult. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who put forward nominations, you are all doing amazing things in your relevant fields and you should be so proud of your achievements!

Extremely thankful and very honoured to have in attendance and hear from the Welsh Veterans Commissioner Col James Philips, Air Commodore Rob Woods OBE, Commander Steve Henaghen, Lt Col Dafydd Evans and Regional Director of the ABF Charity Pete Davies.

A special thanks also has to go to the Corps of drums of the Royal Welsh and the Welsh Guards who were there supporting in their famous red Tunics.

The awards were also supported with a strong contingent from the British Army Reserves based at Bridgend and the Royal Navy Reserves team from HMS Cambria.

We are so thankful to all our supporters, volunteers and sponsors who helped put this amazing night together!

Some of the highlights of the night saw Roma Eliemaude Taylor  receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and become our Welsh Veterans Awards Champion with a standing ovation. Raymond Williams won a Gold (Fitness), Silver (Role Model) and a Bronze (Volunteer). Team Alabaré become our Employer of the year.

We want to Inspire our future service leavers that great things can happen. It’s you who will act as role models and in some cases mentors, remember Positivity breeds Positivity.

Our Winners are :

Veterans Awards Champion: Roma Eliemaude Taylor

Role Model of the Year- Sponsored by Forces Employment Charity

Gold: Kelly Farr

Silver: Raymond Williams

Bronze: Neil Jeremiah

Inspiration of the Year Award – Sponsored by Porters Estate Agents

Gold: Richard Bennett

Silver:  Desmond Paul

Bronze: Marc Sherlock

The Community Awards – Sponsored by Vigilance

Gold: Melvin Watts

Silver: Dawn Parkin

Bronze: Kevin Stanley

Contribution to the Welsh Fitness Industry and Society – Sponsored by Print Inc

Gold: Raymond Williams

Silver: Christopher McEwen

Bronze: Kieran Hackney

Health & Well-being Award  – Sponsored by  Audi Sinclair 

Gold: YourNorth

Silver: Therapies4services CIC

Bronze: Ajuda LTD

Bronze: Links

Leader of the Year Award  – Sponsored by  Eyes Front 

Gold: Ashley Thomas

Silver: James Cadmore

Bronze: Charles Scarf

Entrepreneur of the Year- Sponsored by Pinnacle Complete Office Solutions 

Gold: Daniel Edmunds

Silver: John Evans

Bronze: James Tipping

Employer of the Year- Sponsored by Credas

Gold: Alabaré

Silver: Espanaro LTD

Bronze: Cardiff Bus

Veteran Owned Business  of the Year- Sponsored by Educ8 Training

Gold: Espanaro LTD

Silver: Sudocyber LTD

Bronze: So Fit Group

Volunteer of the Year –  Sponsored by Pathfinder Magazine

Gold: Moawian Bin-Sufyan

Silver: Nigel Jones

Bronze: Raymond Williams

Lifetime Achievement – Sponsored by Hugh James

Gold: Roma Eliemaude Taylor

Silver: Mark Evans

Bronze: Melvin Watts

Bronze: Garden ‘pop’ White

Reservist of the Year Award –  Sponsored by Sierra Nevada Corporation Mission Systems UK 

Gold: Simon Parsons

Silver: Huw Gruffyd Williams

Bronze: Craig Middle

Veteran Group of the Year ( 1 – 5 Years)- Sponsored by Vindico

Gold: Female Veterans Alliance

Silver: The Veterens & Communities Hub

Bronze: Taff Ely Veterans Group

Veteran Group of the Year ( 5+ Years)- Sponsored by Veterans Trees 

Gold: Barry Veterans Group

Silver: Valley Veterans Group

Bronze: The HMP Swansea Veterans’ Team

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Shortlisted Finalists, remember its you who inspire our future service leavers – Keep an eye out on Facebook and our social media sites for pictures and videos of the evening coming soon!

The Veterans Awards are proud to announce our shortlisted Finalists for this years Welsh Veterans Awards, due to be held at the fantastic venue of the 4* Vale Resort on the 3rd July and hosted by Radio X’s Polly James. Our Awards are sponsored by Vindico and in Support of The Army Benevolent Fund Charity and the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity!

Well done to everyone who has been shortlisted as finalists. We had 100’s of applications 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 Forces Employment Charity

Inspiration of the Year Award – Sponsored by Porters Estate Agents

The Community Awards – Sponsored by Vigilance

Contribution to the Welsh Fitness Industry and Society – Sponsored by Print Inc

Health & Well-being Award  – Sponsored by  Audi Sinclair

Veterans Group of the year (5yrs+ Old) – Sponsored by Veterans Trees

Veterans Group of the year (1 – 5yrs old) – Sponsored by Vindico

Leader of the Year Award  – Sponsored by  Eyes Front

Entrepreneur of the Year- Sponsored by Pinnacle Document Solutions Group

Employer of the Year- Sponsored by Credas

Veteran Owned Business  of the Year- Sponsored by Educ8 Training

Volunteer of the Year –  Sponsored by Pathfinder Magazine

Lifetime Achievement – Sponsored by Hugh James

Reservist of the Year Award –  Sponsored by Sierra Nevada Corporation Mission Systems UK

The Winners will be chosen by our Independent Judging Panel. The Judging panels names and profiles will be released over the coming weeks. No Judges will judge on categories if they have any affiliations or close relationships with shortlisted finalists that are known to them.

Our Shortlisted  finalists will be filmed in the fantastic Location of The Firing Line Museum Cardiff Castle on Wednesday 12th June. 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 and get a chance to network with other finalists on this fantastic morning.

All our Shortlisted Finalists / Supporters have the opportunity to secure your tickets between  28th May – 14th June.

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 under 100k PA. 

For more details please get in touch.

Colin Vooght, Head of Engagement- Lowland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association

I’m responsible for engagement with the community including employers in the Lowlands of Scotland on behalf of Defence Relationship Management and Lowland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association . I am a veteran having served in the Army, a small business owner and a very proud Rotarian. I never cease to be amazed by just how successful service leavers can be, when they move from one chapter to another in their lives. I’m delighted to have been invited to be a judge for this competition and look forward to meeting you all.

Shelley Bamford – Strongmind Resiliency Training as Head of Training.

Shelley is a highly experienced and knowledgeable practitioner and trainer, with 15 years’ experience within the Social and Occupational Health domain. Shelley served for 23 years in the Royal Military Police and Army Welfare Service branches of the British Army.  Shelley was responsible for the delivery of specialist emotional and practical support to service personnel and their families, line management and relevant stakeholders worldwide, providing the moral component of fighting power for the armed forces.  Shelley worked with service personnel recovering from injury and was responsible for the delivery of policy in this area.  Committed to improving the health and well-being of all staff, she co-founded and successfully led a three-day holistic support programme for the Ministry of Defence, an innovative project designed to support those experiencing occupational stress.

Shelley holds a BSc (Hons) Psychology, Diploma in Social and Occupational Welfare, Diploma in Domestic Abuse studies and is a Mental Health First Aid Instructor and Lone Working and Personal Safety Trainer.  Shelley has varied qualifications in counselling and mentoring and has vast experience in the development and delivery of training opportunities regarding employee well-being.  Shelley’s area of expertise is domestic abuse, in particular, working with perpetrators and she provides training and consultancy on safeguarding, domestic abuse awareness, engaging with perpetrators and family court advocacy.  Shelley is a UK lead authority on domestic abuse in the military community.

Jason Hare – Director of Courses – Horseback UK

Jay studied engineering before entering the British Forces joining the Royal Marines Commandos. He served for over 14 years and was medically discharged in late 2014 due to life changing injuries.

Jay has deployed on many operations globally and led men in some of the world’s most stressful and hazardous environments, including a tour of Northern Ireland and three tours of Afghanistan. During these tours he was injured twice, once by a suicide bomber and secondly by standing on an IED. Jay lost his left leg below knee, digits to his right hand, suffered extensive shrapnel wounds, lost his left eye and suffered significant facial disfigurement in which it took 11 operations to rebuild his facial features.

Deploying all over the world from desert, jungle, and mountainous areas to arctic regions on numerous occasions, Jay brings a wealth of knowledge of leadership, teaching, coaching and mentoring to any event. He has delivered motivational and inspirational talks to various leading oil and gas companies, charities, VIP’s, events, television, radio, business organisations and universities, as well as instructing and aiding in workshops for many of them all over the country.

Jay holds various certificates and awards in teaching, personal development, sports and recreation, assessing, coaching and mentoring and is also the first and most injured serviceman to conduct offshore oil and gas safety training as well as spending time on a platform in the North Sea.

Jay has worked for HorseBack UK since the beginning, having been seconded initially by the Royal Marines Commandos during his own recovery; he is now the Course Director within the organisation and a Royal Marines Support Network Officer for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Jack Dickinson – Solicitor, Hugh James  

I am a solicitor at Hugh James, based at our head office in Cardiff. I specialise in providing legal representation and legal services for serving, and ex – forces individuals. I also spend a lot of time supporting veterans communities through various events and fundraising efforts.

I have attended the previous Scottish, Welsh and English Veterans awards and enjoyed these thoroughly. I look forward to meeting all the finalists, and celebrating veterans who have made a difference, and all their incredible achievements after transitioning to civilian life.

David Dent MBE, CMgr, CCMI, FIoD, is an Executive Director and Head, Market and Business Development, EMEA  at Parexel Biotech

David  is an Executive Director and Head, Market and Business Development, Co-Leads of Global Disability Steering Committee and Honorary Professor at the University of Stirling and Entrepreneur in Residence at the Hayden Green Institute University of Nottingham.  He is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Chartered Companion of the Chartered Management Institute.

He is a former winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award and Champions Award.

He in addition to his  work in business and education has competed Internationally in disabled veterans sport specifically in field athletics and Highland games where he is current world champion and record holder in Shot Put and an official at Scottish Athletics.

He served with the Army Medical Services mainly as a battlefield trauma specialist and critical care nurse and Regimental Nursing Officer in the 1990’s, he is a war disabled veteran after sustaining combat injuries himself, and in 2022 received and MBE for services to Students People with Disability and Veterans

The ability to see and be part of a process that recognises the significant role veterans play in life community and business  is an important way for us to show our appreciation and recognise the service sacrifice and contribution to our society at the same time as raising awareness of the extant challenges faced by these individuals.

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 35 years Sherrilyn with 3 sons, Liam (33), Danny (31) &  Ewen (26) 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”

Dougie MorganMy role encompasses supporting a wide range of Veterans, their families and serving personnel. It includes organising drop-in sessions over Scotland and Northern Ireland, establishing, and maintaining key relationships with Army units both Regular and Reserve and continual developing relationships with other charity organisations who also support Veterans.Dougie completed 38 years’ service in the Army and he feels so privileged and honoured to be the Operational Manager for Fighting With Pride covering Scotland and Northern Ireland.He has been in the role for 18 months and has had many challenges to face and has assisted so many LGBT+ Veterans to have their voice again after over 40 years of being silent.Dougie is married to his husband Graeme who has been great support over the years allowing him to be himself. They are a very close team who enjoy socialising together and are passionate about living life to the full.“I was very pleased to be asked to be panel member especially as a Military Veteran myself, I’m looking forward to celebrating the success of our Military Veteran Community in Scotland on the night itself along with those companies that support us”

Joanne Wilkinson-Thom – HSEQ Advisor – Serica Energy PlcJo is a proud veteran who served for 8 years with the Army as a Combat Medic, completing operational tours in Rwanda, Bosnia, and Kosovo. Jo left the military in 2000 and as part of her resettlement, undertook the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety with a view to joining the Oil and Gas Industry. Having held various health and safety posts, Jo now works for oil and gas Operator, Serica Energy, as an HSEQ Advisor 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.Jo is honoured to join the judging panel for the Scottish Veterans Awards this year and see the fantastic achievements of the shortlisted finalists.

Nathan Goldsworthy  – Director Gone SolarI am the Director of Gone Solar and a HM Submarine veteran. Having served 12 Years in the Submarine Service, not really what you would call a high flyer and Just short of the 3 badge AB status. Since leaving the forces I moved into the world of IT working alongside the largest companies in the world. Now I run a number of companies, Fast WIFI Wales, Campsite WIFI and Gone Solar. All of which are based at our head office in South Wales.I understand what the military background can bring to business while also acknowledging the things military life has taken away. I want to use my experiences gained to help anyone looking to go down the same path. I am looking forward to being on the judging panel this year and seeing what other veterans are progressing with.

Danny is the Founder and Director  – Be-inn 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.

Claire Sally –  Ex Forces Employment Consultant Scotland Central  – Forces Employment Charity

Forces Employment Charity understands and appreciates the tenacity and resilience of those who have served in the Armed Forces. Ex-servicemen and women hold many attributes including their dedication, humility and strong work ethic which is noticed and valued amongst the civilian community. We are proud to support the Scottish Veterans Awards 2024, which celebrates the veterans and organisations who continue to show the value that the veteran community brings to society in Scotland.

The Veterans Awards

Rewarding Veterans, Serving Reservists, those companies that employ from our community and organisations that support us in the areas of Business, Fitness, Sport and the wider Community!

In support of The Army Benevolent Fund, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and Little Troopers.

The Veterans Awards are a Not for Profit Organisation that promotes the positives from the Veteran and Military Community and those organisations that support us. It’s been put together by Veterans for Veterans in what has become our home nations national awards with three separate award ceremonies taking place in England, Scotland and Wales, we also support the Northern Irish Awards. 2023 saw the introduction of the first Service children awards in Wales in support of the charity Little Troopers.  During our awards evenings we fundraise for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity alongside the Army Benevolent Fund and Little Troopers.  Any money above and beyond costs is then distributed via a small grants scheme to smaller CIC’s and Charities who work at grass routes level within the veterans community and have a turnover of under 100k per annum! 

This year has seen our organisation promote and showcase so many positive individuals and organisations that are doing great things within our community, we have issued grants to multiple Charitable Organisations that support our community across the UK, some of these grants were issued for events that bring veterans and their families together, health and well-being training and also supporting local breakfast hubs that are the beating heart of our community. 

Our running total including donations, from our Auctions, raffles and our grant giving is sat at a fantastic

£48,074.65

Thank you for everyone who supports our Awards, from sponsors, attendees, nominators, donators to finalists you are all really making a difference to our community!

The Army Benevolent Fund is the Army’s national charity, here for soldiers, past and present, and their families for life

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity is the Principle Charity of the Royal Navy. The Charity Exists to support Sailors, Marines and their families for life!

Little Troopers is a registered charity supporting all military children who have parent(s) serving in our British Armed Forces, regular or reserve.

Our Veterans Awards team are fully committed to supporting our Veteran Community. We celebrate the success and inspiring stories from our community by promoting them via our social media channels, networks and fantastic  media partners that include Pathfinder International Magazine and Eyes Front Magazine.

We have a Board of Directors and an Inspirational panel in place who operate in a voluntary capacity to run Veterans Awards CIC, ensuring all money raised above project costs goes back into our Veteran Community and is used to improve services or to run projects that will help our Veterans and our Community.

In the UK, we have a huge number of highly successful Armed Forces Veterans that have made the transition from the Military to civilian life and we want to reward these veterans who have gone above and beyond and excelled in their relevant fields. They will act as role models for future service leavers. We want to find the people who even during the most difficult periods have excelled!

As such, we feel they should be given every opportunity to highlight their achievements and success, which is why the awards and our other projects have been created.

The Veterans Awards are open to all our Military Veterans that are doing great things in the UK, Reservists that are going above and beyond and those companies that go the extra mile to support or recruit from our community!

If you are a Company or Organisation that wish to become one of our Partners or Sponsors at our Awards or projects please feel free to get in touch. We have a number of fantastic companies that currently support us and we are so thankful to them because without these companies we wouldn’t be able to do what we do! We will ensure we work with you and your team or building a strong relationship and partnership.  To get in touch or find out more click here

If you have a positive story or journey please get in touch and we are happy to promote it via our social media sites through our media team!

Remember it’s you that will act as a role models for future service leavers!

CIC Registration  number: 12249389

Kieran Hackney – Forces Fitness Ltd   

Kieran is a military veteran that served in the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, he now works for Forces Fitness delivering inspiring Health and well-being sessions within the education sector, Sports Teams and businesses across the UK!

He is very much looking forward to the event and seeing all these amazing people  being recognized for the great work they do!

Millie Taylor – SSCE Cymru Programme Manager

Supporting Service Children in Education Wales (SSCE Cymru) has a mission to provide the best possible educational support to Service children in Wales. SSCE Cymru is a Welsh Government funded programme, managed by the Welsh Local Government Association.

Established in 2014, SSCE Cymru works with all 22 local authorities across Wales to provide schools and other educational settings with a better understanding of how they can offer support to the children of Armed Forces personnel living in Wales.

Millie took over managing the SSCE Cymru programme at the beginning of 2018, with a focus on setting strategic goals and a mission that would expand the support available to Service children in Wales. As an advocate for Service children, Millie is always keen to speak with them directly and has coordinated activities to involve Service children in the work of SSCE Cymru. Millie has created many opportunities for collaboration in Wales and is always keen to share good practice with organisations across the UK.

Ged Murphy – Head of Concepts – General Dynamics UK  

As a veteran, Ged served across the spectrum of operations with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers before Battalion command with The Royal Welsh. Ged uses his operational and leadership experience to advise on emerging operational trends whilst providing a focus for all Armed Forces and Veterans matters. He has led the business to success as Gold Award holders in recognition of GD UK’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, whilst promoting the social impact that the business and the defence sector has within the community.

Ged is active across the community, supports veterans in transition and has organised numerous money raising events for a number of military and community based charities. He was successfully nominated by his colleagues for the Veteran Leader Award Wales in 2023. Ged is the proud father of Joe (17) and Pete (13) and loves spending time in the hills with his boys whenever he can!

Sarah Court – Specialist Teacher, Vulnerable Groups – Powys County Council

Sarah Court, who lives near Brecon, started her teaching career 30 years ago and during her time, she developed her teaching and leadership skills through a variety of teaching, senior leadership and advisory roles in the UK and around the world.  Sarah spent eleven years working for Service Children’s Education for the British Armed Forces in Germany and the rest of the world.

She currently leads the Powys County Council’s Vulnerable Groups Team, supporting schools, pupils and families from minority ethnic and Armed Forces backgrounds. She moved to Wales over five years ago and was previously part of the Supporting Service Children in Education (SSCE) Cymru team, working across Local Authorities and Schools in Wales and played an instrumental part in developing the new SSCE Cymru website and information. During the ‘Month of the Military child’ she worked with groups of Service children, creating pictures and poems, linked to the theme ‘ Friends near and far’. Some of these poems were winners in a national competition and were awarded their certificates and prizes at the Ministry of Defence building London, a great achievement. Working alongside the Welsh Rugby Union engagement team, Sarah has also developed well-being sessions in schools for Service children, using wheelchair rugby activities.

She is very privileged to be asked to be a judge at the first Service Children’s Awards and is amazed by the achievements that all Service children make with their learning, sport and well-being despite the challenges that they may face. Sarah is excited to able to celebrate their successes with the Armed Forces community in Wales.

Kelly Farr – Director – YourNorth 

Kelly is an award-winning entrepreneur, wellbeing trainer and veteran, with 17 years service in the Royal Air Force as an Avionics Engineer. Kelly is the co-founder of YourNorth, a wellbeing training company focusing on mental health, mindset, communication, mindfulness & happiness. Kelly is also the co-founder of YourNorth Veteran Support CIC, a not-for-profit organisation offering tailored wellbeing services for the Armed Forces community & Emergency Services.

She is very active in the community as a volunteer and co-runs Caerphilly Veterans Support Hub, and sits on the board for VAPC (Wales). Kelly also co-runs the Female Veterans Alliance; a community organisation that aims to empower and support females that have served in the UK Armed Forces.

Kelly is a huge advocate for the Armed Forces community and is so grateful for the opportunity to be involved with the Service Children Awards Cymru. She has 2 daughters, aged 14 & 4, so appreciates and understands the incredible qualities displayed by this amazing cohort.

Andy Jones –  Armed Forces Liaison Officer  – Powys County Council 

I joined the Army at the age of 16 and served in the Welsh Guards, my service included the Falkland Islands Conflict in 1982. After leaving the Armed Forces I worked in HM Prison Service mainly in London and Cardiff but incorporating being a National Instructor for Prison Staff across England and Wales. Finally ending up on secondment into the Probation Service in Wales developing an ‘all Wales’s support structure for ex Armed Service Personnel  who had come into the Justice system.

I took up the post of Armed Forces Liaison Officer (AFLO) in Powys in March 2020 just in time for the covid outbreak. All 22 Local Authorities in Wales are covered by 7 AFLO’S who promote and assist in the execution and delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant including the new Armed Forces Bill 2021.

Having worked closely with the delivery of support for Service Children in the Local Authority I fully appreciate the work that is needed and am encouraged by their fantastic commitment. It is an honour to be a part of the judging panel in the Service Children Awards.