2024 WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Animal Partnership Awardin partnership with Pets at Home
Hero Paws
Started originally by a small group of military dog handlers who had served shoulder to shoulder with their canine comrades, the Hero Paws team recognised that many loyal service dogs needed special care when transitioning into retirement. They saw the need for resources, expertise, and support to ensure these dogs could enjoy peaceful, relaxing retirements after their service, helping them adjust to civilian life. Hero Paws currently supports 70 dogs and families, with many more rehabilitated, rehomed, and living long, happy retirements, alongside medical and financial support.
Inspiration Awardin partnership with NatWest
Hari Budha Magar MBE
In 2010, while leading his Gurkha unit in Afghanistan, Hari Budha Magar MBE lost both legs to an IED. On recovery, and determined to change perceptions of what is possible for people with a disability, Hari took on numerous endurance challenges, including kayaking, paragliding, skiing and climbing, achieving the pinnacle of his goals when he became the first double above-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest.
Working Together Awardin partnership with Forces in Mind Trust
Sunderland City Council Armed Forces Partnership
Sunderland City Council has shown an unwavering commitment to the military community, creating the Armed Forces Partnership, which includes the University, College, Police, Fire Brigade, NHS, and more. Together, they ensure that none of the 10,800 veterans in Sunderland face rough sleeping, showcasing the power of civic ownership and genuine partnership.
Healthcare and Rehabilitation Award in partnership with Redwood Technologies
VICTOR Intensive Treatment Service, Combat Stress
Launched by Combat Stress in 2022, VICTOR is the result of a visionary effort to address the overwhelming need for specialised PTSD care. With a team of expert clinicians driven by cutting-edge research and clinical prowess, the statistics are staggering: of those who completed treatment, 96% showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, and 68% no longer met the criteria for Complex-PTSD.
Education, Training and Development Award in partnership with Reed in Partnership
CAPSLOCK
CAPSLOCK is a leading provider of cyber security training, supporting individuals with limited technical knowledge to become invaluable members of the cyber workforce, enhancing the connection between the Armed Forces and STEM communities. Their collaboration with TechVets in 2023 has expanded their reach, offering vital training to service leavers, veterans, and their families.
Lifetime Achievement Award in partnership with Oracle
Tony Wright
Tony Wright is a former Royal Marine, Social Worker, Probation Officer, and Home Office Advisor, who has spent his entire 40-year career in the service of others, in particular those least able to help themselves. As Founder of the charities About Turn (in 2009), Forward Assist (in 2013), and Salute Her (in 2021), Tony has helped thousands of veterans and their families, saving them from despair, self-harm, and desperation.
Business Start-Up Award in partnership with GKN Aerospace
Phillip Jones, The Chocolate Soldier Ltd
After just over a year of teaching himself how to work with chocolate and combine great flavours with amazing presentation, Phillip Jones began selling chocolates made in his military quarter to family and friends. The Chocolate Soldier now provides exquisite handmade chocolates through an e-commerce shop, wholesale to restaurants, cafes, hotels, and military dinner nights, as well as bespoke 'white label' boxes.
Business Scale-Up Award in partnership with LSEG Foundation
Nick Orde-Powlett, TIB Services Ltd
TIB Services is a specialist school estates recruiter committed to assisting veterans with their resettlement into rewarding, flexible employment. During the Covid-19 pandemic and a time of extreme uncertainty, TIB faced the challenge head on and met demands for schools to remain open for children of key workers, while also ensuring compliance and cleanliness.
Business Community Impact Award in partnership with Cisco
Brendan Williams, Founder and CEO of Building Heroes
Brendan Williams has effectively harnessed the transferable skills of military personnel and applied them to a critical skills gap in the construction industry. Building Heroes' impact, evidenced by a 99% pass rate and 73% of graduates transitioning into employment or further training, alongside a significant social value of £21,000 per graduate, speaks volumes of Brendan's dedication.
Employee Champion Award in partnership with Landmarc
Andy White (Barclays)
Andy White’s dedication as spearhead of the Barclays Veteran Founders initiative is a profound example of leadership. Through strategic partnerships, 25 Veteran-Owned Businesses (VOBs) joined the transformative Veteran Founders Programme led by Andy, engaging 120 veteran founders and achieving further milestones of financial support and streamlined payment solutions for VOBs.
Defence Inclusivity Award in partnership with Barlcays
Maj Daljinder Singh Virdee MBE
Driven by the desire to ensure that all are encouraged to consider a military career regardless of background, Maj Daljinder Singh Virdee has a strong presence within Defence and Inclusion networks. A former chair of the Defence Sikh Network, Maj Virdee founded the British Army Panjabi Union, authored the world’s first Armed Forces Sikh Dress Guide, and reintroduced the provision of Sikh religious texts.
Family Values Award in partnership with Right Management
John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation
The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation was set up by Lt John (JT) Thornton’s parents following his death in Afghanistan in 2008. JT was a passionate advocate for access to development opportunities for all young people, regardless of social background, and the Foundation has raised and distributed over £1 million in awards for young people and established 20 partnerships with schools and Cadet Forces in Dorset and Wiltshire.
