Business Scale-Up Award Finalists 2024
An award to honour an individual or group of individuals linked with the Armed Forces community who have started a successful new business venture more than two years ago (before January 1st, 2022) and who still retain a minimum of 50% interest in the venture.
In partnership with LSEG Foundation.
"With the impact of Armed Forces community businesses continuing to grow across the country, the Business Scale-Up Award has never been more relevant or important. Congratulations to all this year’s entrants from the LSEG Foundation team – your entrepreneurial drive and innovation never fails to impress.”
Introducing the Finalists...
Daniel Sylvester & Dion Sutherns, AlphaOne Electrics
AlphaOne Electrics Ltd was founded by RAF veteran Daniel Sylvester during the pandemic in 2021, and in 2023 he was joined by his Air Force colleague Dion Sutherns. As former RAF Communications Specialists their journey from ‘comrades in arms to business partners’ was paired with a shared passion for innovation and sustainability.
Driven by the need for high-quality renewable energy installations and improvements in Cornwall’s EVCP infrastructure, AlphaOne Electrics addresses the urgent demand for environmental sustainability while also embodying the contributions veterans can make in business. AlphaOne Electrics has seen encouraging growth and expanded its team with new employees and partnerships with local subcontractors. Dan and Dion have ensured the teamwork adopted from their military service is woven into the fabric of their company, placing integrity, commitment, and adaptability at the forefront of every service. They are well on way to turning over more than £0.5m this year. The market growth coupled with their evolving business acumen means further business expansion can be anticipated.
Dan and Dion’s commitment to sustainability, teamwork, and community engagement doesn’t stop there – whether conquering the Three Peaks Challenge for Help for Heroes, overseeing the planting of 500 trees, or sponsoring several sports teams, their values and business success are rooted in camaraderie.
Nick Orde-Powlett, TIB Services
TIB Services is a specialist school estates recruiter committed to assisting veterans with their resettlement into rewarding, flexible employment. Providing site managers, caretakers, and maintenance staff to schools across the UK, TIB’s operatives are predominantly over 50. Primarily recruiting people with backgrounds in the British military, emergency services, engineering and trades. TIB recognises the value of transferable skills and experiences.
TIB has been in operation since 2013, but during the Covid-19 pandemic the service grew after recognising the urgent need to support schools. In 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. In the midst of the crisis, the TIB team proudly understood the value of their operatives and have since built their candidate pool from 1,000 in 2020 to over 5,000 today. Revenue is estimated to increase a further 30% in 2024 to approximately £5M.
Their client base relationship has grown with more than 1,000 schools and 150 multi-academy trusts since their pivot in mid-2020, subsequently benefitting several hundred thousand young people and teaching professionals across the UK.
Ryan Evans, MK Loft Boarding
Ryan Evans left the Army in 2013, but it wasn’t until 2019 that he happened upon the business that would transform his life. After boarding the floor of the loft in his new property, Ryan began offering the service to friends and family and the local community. Despite the sudden changes brought by the pandemic, Ryan took the self-employment plunge in 2020 that saw the creation of MK Loft Boarding Ltd.
With determination, Ryan seized the initiative to build his own business, and within three years MK Loft Boarding Ltd evolved from a one-man band to 14 employees and a projected turnover this year of £1M. Ryan and his team have gone from strength to strength, now covering areas from London to Peterborough, Oxford to Cambridge, and everywhere in between from their base in Milton Keynes. Underlining Ryan’s achievements, military-learned leadership, and influence on the local community, is the recently bestowed title of Milton Keynes’ Entrepreneur of the Year.
Describing himself as a ‘confident, forward-thinking Rifleman’, Ryan credits the Army for teaching him the transferable skills he needed in the civilian world and allowing him to consistently strive to be the best.
Congratulate the finalists and join in with our celebrations on social media: #SoldieringOnAwards
