The shortlist for the 2025 British Forces in Business Awards has been officially announced, launching the eight annual edition of the flagship programme showcasing the Armed Forces community’s vast contributions to all parts of the economy.
We are delighted to be announced as finalists!
The Standing Tall Foundation have been nominated for the second year in a row for the D& I Initiative Award. This is for our Veterans on Probation Wellbeing Programme, aimed at helping veterans to improve their general health and wellbeing, as well as providing tools for employment and financial planning.
The programme seeks to reduce social isolation, improve social skills, encourage peer engagement and confidence building, and create sustainable links between individuals and their communities.
You can find out more about the awards and the full list of categories and finalists HERE.
Each year, more than 15,000 individuals leave the British Armed Forces with transferable skills and values nurtured in elite training and operational environments. Yet many face hurdles to establishing a meaningful second career, including misconceptions about military service and a lack of visible role models who transition successfully across different sectors.
The Forces in Business Awards were founded in 2018 to challenge those barriers head-on. Through grand showcases of veteran talent in London, Glasgow, and Washington D.C., the Awards have helped transform the veteran employment landscape by improving how hiring managers and business leaders view the Armed Forces community as a source of talent.
Since its inception in 2018, the Awards have recognised over 2,000 veterans and reservists, drawing in thousands of business leaders to flagship ceremonies in London, Glasgow and Washington D.C. The events have become a cornerstone in the veteran employment landscape and a catalyst for improving the narrative around military-to-civilian transition.
The unveiling of this year’s finalists follows another record-breaking round of nominations, reflecting growing recognition of the veteran talent pool as a key driver of innovation, leadership and resilience. The vast breadth of organisations represented on the shortlist demonstrates the Armed Force community’s exceptional contributions across the economy.
Air Marshal Steve Shell (Retd), CEO of SSAFA, official charity partner of the Awards, said: “With commemorations recently to mark VE Day 80, we’ve seen the high regard the military community continues – rightly – to be held in. This esteem extends to celebrating achievement once people return to civilian life and for those in the Reserves, and there are few better examples of this than the Forces in Business Awards, which highlight the absolute best that the partnership of Armed Forces community and business offer.
“Those nominated for the Awards have made a successful transition from the Armed Forces and act as role models for others, and therefore deserve our praise. And because it’s a partnership, I also commend the Forces-friendly employers on the shortlist because these businesses see the potential and opportunities offered by reservists and veterans. SSAFA –140 years old this year – is a trusted source of support for when the Forces family needs help, and we’re extremely proud to again be the official charity partner of these Awards.”
The 2025 Awards Gala returns to the iconic Great Room in Grosvenor House London, Park Lane, on 26th June. With 1,200 leaders from the business and Armed Forces communities in attendance, the event ranks among the most attended awards ceremonies in Europe.
Known as the ‘Oscars of veteran employment’, this year’s celebration will be presented by ITV News anchor Nina Hossain, who will host the awards ceremony and introduce a stellar lineup of live entertainment and guest speakers including double Olympic rowing champion Major Heather Stanning OBE and the Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns.
Ben Rossi, founder of the global Forces in Business Awards series, said: “The British Forces in Business Awards have become a beacon for exceptional talent, showing that supporting the Armed Forces community is not just good ethics – it’s smart business. The calibre of this year’s nominations has been nothing short of extraordinary, and the stories behind them prove just how impactful veterans can be in every corner of our economy.”
Fingers crossed for the awards night on the 26th June!
Mental Health 
Housing & Benefits Support 
Wellbeing & Addiction Support