Exciting News for all involved with the Veterans Awards – We are so pleased to welcome Pathfinder International Magazine as our Official media Partner for the 2020 Veterans Awards.

We are really looking forward to working with Malcolm Robinson and his team to promote the Positives that are coming from within our Veteran Community and those companies that go above and beyond to support and recruit from us!

Please read the blog here for more information- http://pathfinderinternational.co.uk/pathfinder-magazine-becomes-media-partner-for-veterans-awards-2020/

We would like to thank everyone who attended this years English Veterans Awards, held at the Mercure Holland House Bristol on 25th September 2019. The Awards were sponsored by Barratt Developments and in Support of The ABF The Soldiers’ Charity!

Well done to everyone who were 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!

A huge thanks to the Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Peaches Golding OBE and Brigadier M P Christie OBE. The Brigadier kindly spoke at our Awards evening. Thank you to the fantastic Support given by the Corps of Drums of the Royal Welsh, Shenkin IV the Goat Major and of course the Troops from the Household Division.

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

The highlight of the night saw former Special Forces Major Ken Hames MBE win the Inspiration of the Year Award and become our Very First English Veterans Awards Champion!

During the night £2,000 was raised for the ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and £270 for the Welsh Guards Charity! This means that a fantastic £4,000 has been raised in total for the ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and £470 for the Welsh Guards Charity so far this year!

Remember we are here to help and support all Veterans that are doing great things, please get in touch if you have any news or projects your working on that benefit our community and we can arrange a post via social media!

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.

Inspiration of the Year Award – Sponsored by Ridge Steel

• Major Ken Hames MBE    -Community Self Build Agency – Gold

• Anthony Lock                    -Author Broken by War – Silver

• Martin Diver                      -Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust – Bronze

Role Model of the Year – Sponsored by Print Inc 

• Samuel T Reddy    – Tri Exforces ltd – Gold

• Duncan Smith        – TFL Training/ Pegasus Awards CIC – Silver

• Martin Hunt           – MPCT – Bronze

The Community Award- Sponsored by Royal Educare

• Terry Morley                       – Groundwork MSST – Gold

• Darren Horsnell                   – Veterans in Communities – Silver

• Brian Richardson MBE       – MPCT – Bronze

Contribution to the English Fitness Industry and Society 

• Cain Leathem           –  GB Fitness – Gold

• James Boardman     –  The Dad Coach – Silver

• Robbie Harris           – Gymit – Bronze

Entrepreneur of the Year- Sponsored by Hugh James Solicitors

• Sandra Murphy     –  Equidiet UK Ltd – Gold

• Richard Gwilliam  –  Geollect Ltd – Silver

• Steve Thornton      – Forces Cars Direct Ltd – Bronze

Lifetime Achievement – Sponsored by David Wilson Homes

• Dave Beresford      -Weston College – Gold

• John Scivier            -Veterans Outreach Support- Silver

• Robert Ferguson   – Royal Marines Association – Bronze

Employer of the Year- Sponsored by 360 Well- being

• Company X Consulting Ltd – Gold

• Services to Film – Silver

• FM Conway – Weston College – Bronze

Business Leader of the Year- Sponsored by Venture Risks Ltd

• Richard Gwilliam   – Geollect Ltd – Gold

• Samuel T Reddy    – Tri Exforces ltd – Silver

• Steve Thornton      – Forces Cars Direct Ltd – Bronze

Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Terrestres Servo Coronas

• Tim Evers BCA               – Sapper Support – Gold

• Mr Alan Thomas MBE  – SSAFA – Silver

• Jeff Williams                  – Veterans United Against Suicide – Bronze

• Elizabeth Davies            – Veterans in Communities – Bronze

Veterans Business of the Year Award –

• Forces Cars Direct – Gold

• Company X Consulting Ltd – Silver

• Ravenwood Locksmiths Ltd – Bronze

Contribution to English Sport & Society- Sponsored by  Barratt Homes – Honorary Award,

Mr Terry Brazier

Terry served with the Irish Guards joining in 2008 before transferring to the Fantastic Guards Parachute Platoon attached to the 3rd battalion parachute regiment.  Shortly after his tour of Afghanistan Op Herric 13.  He Started training in Mixed Martial Arts ( MMA ) As an amateur he had a fantastic career and won Multiple titles in various weight categories. He made his professional debut late 2015 and since then has been working his way up the ranks winning several World titles on the biggest shows in Europe, now fighting on one of the biggest shows in the world “Bellator” and making a statement climbing to the top to be the best in the world .

Peter Bates OBE – Regional Director ABF The Soldiers’ Charity

Peter Bates was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1979 and served the majority of his regimental career in the Airborne and Commando brigades, serving on operational tours during Op Corporate (the Falklands War), in Northern Ireland, the jungle, Bosnia and Iraq. In addition to Regimental duty he has been Chief of Staff of the UK Artillery Brigade and held many staff appointments, with the majority being in training and procurement environments. He has a BSc and MA and was appointed an OBE in the 2008 New Years Honours list.

In 2013, Col Bates left the army early and spent two years as Business Development Director at a group of schools in Bath, raising over £1.3Million in under two years. Despite the success this was short-lived incursion into the education sector and from September 2014 he worked as an army reservist virtually full time, coordinating and delivering all Ten Tors activity for three years. After relinquishing that role he worked as part of the Military Civil Integration Team on behalf of the Comd HQ SW before accepting his new job with  the Soldiers’ Charity, which is a vital, time-consuming and demanding appointment.  ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is the National Charity of the British Army. The Soldiers’ Charity began in 1944 as the Army Benevolent Fund and rebranded in 2010 to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. With help from the public we support soldiers, veterans and their families who need our help, either by supporting individuals directly or through our partner delivery charities

Nick Wilson Co-founder of 360Wellbeing

A Mental Health support company providing a better understanding of Mental Health to the workplace, and founder of First Step Forward CIC, who provides Mental Health guidance and training to Veterans and Partners of Military service personnel. With an aim to empower individuals, to better manage their own symptoms and lives, whilst awaiting professional support.

Nick is also a Veteran, serving 14 years in the Army and deploying on multiple extremely demanding operations around the world. This is followed by eight successful years in business to date, which includes building a highly successful £1/4million Chauffeur company in his first two years in business.

Therefore, Nick is very aware of what it takes to transition from the military into society and further still into business, especially for those with additional struggles such as physical or mental injuries, with Nick himself managing Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and a debilitating spinal injury. He sees this as an opportunity to “Give back” to his comrades in arms, to celebrate them all, with every one of them being winners and heroes, and to say thank you to the employers who take the time to see the value in them.

Alex Williams and Victoria Beacham  Founders at Royal Educare.

Alex oversees the business development and the recruitment department, where Victoria manages the finance, back office and company accounts. We decided to be sponsors at this year’s English Veterans awards due to being a family of Military background, we understand the transition from Military life to Civvy Street can be difficult. We wanted to give recognition to those Veterans that have not only achieved and succeeded the transition but have gone on to achieve great things in their life. It’s a privilege to be part of such a rewarding event.

Nia –  Wyn Evans, Solicitor at Hugh James Cardiff

I am a solicitor at Hugh James, Cardiff. I work within the military team  representing military and ex-military servicemen and women.
Whilst speaking to military and ex-military personnel on a daily basis I am all too familiar with the difficulties veterans can face when leaving service.  I wanted to join the judging panel for the Veteran Awards to celebrate veterans who have made a successful transition from military to civilian life, whilst also assisting veterans who have faced difficulties when returning to civilian life as part of my role as a solicitor

The Veterans Awards are proud to announce our shortlisted Finalists for this years English Veterans Awards, due to be held at the Mercure Bristol Holland House on 25th  September 2019. Sponsored by Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes and in Support of The ABF The Soldiers’ 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 :

Inspiration of the Year Award – Sponsored by Ridge Steel

• Leon Stokes                        -Pals Battalion CIC
• Anthony Lock                    -Author Broken by War
• Edward Preen
• Major Ken Hames MBE    -Community Self Build Agency
• Andrew Phelps                  -1st Stoke Gifford Scouts
• Martin Diver                      -Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Role Model of the Year – Sponsored by Print Inc 

• Martin Hunt           – MPCT
• David Powell          – NHS TILS Midlands and East Veterans Service
• Samuel T Reddy    – Tri Exforces ltd
• Duncan Smith        – TFL Training/ Pegasus Awards CIC
• Steve Butterworth – Veterans in Communities
• Lyndsey Khan       – Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

The Community Award- Sponsored by Royal Educare

• Brian Richardson MBE       – MPCT
• Tony Wright                        – Forward Assist
• Richard Dolan                     – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
• Terry Morley                       – Groundwork MSST
• Darren Horsnell                   – Veterans in Communities
• Bryan Stacey                       – Community Mentoring and Support CIC
• Dave Smith                          – Veterans in Sefton Service

Contribution to the English Fitness Industry and Society 

• James Boardman     –  The Dad Coach
• Tom Blackwood       –  Forces Fit
• Cain Leathem           –  GB Fitness
• Robbie Harris           – Gymit

Entrepreneur of the Year- Sponsored by Hugh James Solicitors

• Richard Gwilliam  –  Geollect Ltd
• Sandra Murphy     –  Equidiet UK Ltd
• Lian Kirton             – K9 Pet Services
• Steve Thornton      – Forces Cars Direct Ltd

Lifetime Achievement – Sponsored by David Wilson Homes

• John Scivier            -Veterans Outreach Support
• Neil Shuttleworth
• Dave Beresford      -Weston College
• Cain Leathem        – GB Fitness
• Robert Ferguson   – Royal Marines Association

Employer of the Year- Sponsored by 360 Well- being

• Weston College
• Company X Consulting Ltd
• Services to Film
• FM Conway

Business Leader of the Year- Sponsored by Venture Risks Ltd

• Steve Thornton      – Forces Cars Direct Ltd
• Samuel T Reddy    – Tri Exforces ltd
• Richard Gwilliam   – Geollect Ltd

Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Terrestres Servo Coronas

• Mr Terry Whitty             – Royal Naval Association
• Mr Alan Thomas MBE  – SSAFA
• Elizabeth Davies            – Veterans in Communities
• Ian Robinson                  – Type 42 HMS Birmingham Association
• Tim Evers BCA               – Sapper Support
• Jeff Williams                  – Veterans United Against Suicide

Veterans Business of the Year Award – Sponsored by  The Sandbag Times and Team Dynamics Motor Sport

• Forces Cars Direct
• Ruff Walkers
• Ravenwood Locksmiths Ltd
• Redcoat apparel
• Company X Consulting Ltd

Contribution to English Sport & Society- Sponsored by  Barratt Homes – Honorary Award, Delivered to a Very Special Sports Person who has achieved some fantastic things whilst serving and also upon leaving the Military competing at a professional level .

The Winners will be chosen by our independent Judging Panel who’s names will be released over the coming weeks.

Our Shortlisted  finalists will be filmed in Bristol on August 14th, these  Videos will then be used on our extensive media campaign and will also be played on the evening itself!

All our Shortlisted Finalists will have the opportunity to purchase tickets between 6th August – 13th August. If we have any remaining tickets left they will then go on sale to the General public.

For more details please get in touch via our Contact US page!

Timothy Barnett, Sales Director, Educ8 Training Group.

My primary role within the business is designing and implementing our revenue generation strategies to ensure that the businesses commercial objectives are met and ambitious growth plans are achieved.

I have seen for myself countless times how skills that have been learned within the military can be transferred to the civilian world with enormous success and I’m looking forward to seeing further examples of this as part of the judging panel. As a business we feel it is important to highlight the value and skills that ex-military personnel can bring to almost any business environment which is why we are so pleased to be involved and supporting the Welsh Veterans Awards.

Nia –  Wyn Evans, Solicitor at Hugh James Cardiff

I am a solicitor at Hugh James, Cardiff. I work within the military team  representing military and ex-military servicemen and women.

Whilst speaking to military and ex-military personnel on a daily basis I am all too familiar with the difficulties veterans can face when leaving service.  I wanted to join the judging panel for the Veteran Awards to celebrate veterans who have made a successful transition from military to civilian life, whilst also assisting veterans who have faced difficulties when returning to civilian life as part of my role as a solicitor

Rik Sellwood, National Contract Manager, Business Wales

Rik Sellwood was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals in 1993 and served in mainland UK, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Afghanistan.  He spent most of his time with delivering formation level communications systems and introduced a number of then leading edge IT systems to Battlegroup, Brigade and Divisional Headquarters on exercise and on operations.  The highlights of Rik’s military career were building the first permanent ISAF HQ in Kabul during the first deployment of British Troops under Op Fingal, delivering communications support in the Bosnia Theatre during the Kosovo campaign and enjoying military life travelling widely around the world. Having spent a number of years in the Defence industry working on UAVs and conducting Test and Evaluation activities, Rik is now a senior manager working for Business in Focus managing the Business Wales contract which delivers high quality business support and advice to individuals and companies across Wales.  Rik’s notable successes in this role have been supporting the creation of over 4000 new jobs in Wales over the last year and the successful creation and deployment of a number of grant funds to businesses in Wales. Rik is thrilled to be a part of this year’s awards and views this as an excellent opportunity to support fellow veterans

Rebecca Porter, Director, Porters Estate Agents

I am Director of Porters Estate Agents and resident Mortgage Broker. I’m really looking forward to meeting lots of deserving nominees and of course, the goat. Eager to be involved as very proud of what our armed services do for us on a daily basis. Most of which, we never hear of. This is a great opportunity for our former Military to showcase their fantastic achievements since leaving the Armed Forces.  I cant wait to hear all the amazing stories!

Ange Windsor, Director, Print inc Embroidery and Print

I am the Director of Print Inc. Embroidery & Print Services, a family run business based in the heart of South West Wales, founded and run by myself and covering a large geographic area including Llanelli, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest along with Swansea, Cardiff and Cowbridge. Print Inc. also offers an online service, which opens up the UK marketplace through courier systems. The personal connection between our clients and ourselves is really important to us, be it online or locally. I am Very pleased to be involved with Welsh and English Veterans Awards, We supply all the Print for the Veterans Awards and we also have close links with the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards providing all their tour T Shirts and embroidery and Printed Clothing! I  am really looking forward to sharing the evening with some true heroes

Catherine Hawtin BA (Hons) ABF The Soldiers’ Charity

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity are thrilled to partner with the Veterans Awards.  The Charity exits to give a lifetime of support to soldiers and veterans from the British Army, and their immediate families, when they are in need. We make grants to individuals through their Regiments and Corps and support a wide range of specialist charities that sustain the British Army ‘family’, both at home and around the world.

We take pride in being responsive, making a difference at a critical point in people’s lives. We have been doing this since 1944, working with veterans of every conflict, and we envisage continuing doing so for the ‘long haul’ – supporting all future generations of our soldiers and their dependants. 

My role is to provide support to the Regional Director, raising awareness of our cause to military, civilian and business personnel; to facilitate others who wish to fundraise on our behalf and run our own events in Wales.  It is a crucial task maintaining and gaining new supporters, something we are very passionate about.  In the last three years, within the Wales region, we have increased military and corporate involvement two-fold.     

Coming from a service family and married to a veteran who I accompanied overseas, and working in the military environment has given me first-hand experience of seeing the aspirations and successes of service leavers, also how some soldiers and their immediate families initially find it difficult.  On behalf of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity I am looking forward to celebrating those success stories that will inspire others, and to support the military community.