The Ex-Forces in Business Awards is the world’s largest celebration of ex-military in second careers. The Awards recognise the value that veterans add to businesses as well as the employers that support the transition of servicemen and women.
SA Group has been supporting veterans with their new careers in since it began in 2009, and recognises the challenges that arise from returning to civilian life. The company promotes an open and honest internal culture to support this process, and has been awarded a Gold ERS Award from the Armed Forces Covenant in recognition of their active support to veterans with their resettlement programme.
Servicemen and women spend years adapting to roles and gaining valuable skills. They develop qualities that are hugely adaptable to commercial environments and in-demand in the business world, but communicating the transferability of those skills to employers can be challenging. Increasing visibility of role models – military veterans who have carved out successful second careers – is crucial to not only empowering and inspiring current and future service leavers, but to educating employers on the value of supporting the transition of servicemen and women.
Lee Gale, Head of Sales and Marketing at SA Group said: “We’re delighted to be a finalist in these prestigious awards, and to celebrate the skills and achievements of veterans in the wider workforce. At SA Group our people are central to what we do, and we’re proud that over 60% of our team has a military background. We recognise the value that this important community brings, and we will continue to support it.”
Lt. Gen. Sir Andrew Gregory, CEO at SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, said: “As a former Chief of Defence People, I know just how important it is to have strong visibility of forces friendly employers and of veterans who have transitioned into meaningful second careers. These awards lead the way in amplifying that visibility, which makes us very proud to once again be the official charity partner of this important awards programme.
“Our warmest congratulations and sincere thanks go to all those who have been shortlisted for this year’s British Ex-Forces in Business Awards. They set such a tremendous example for how military-gained skills and values can be successfully applied across all sectors.”
Ben Rossi, founder of the British Ex-Forces in Business Awards, said: “Six years ago we set out a vision for a grand showcase of veteran talent to promote to all UK employers the business case of hiring from the Armed Forces community, while also giving service leavers the confidence to dream bigger. Each year we are even more blown away than the last at the response to this programme. The extraordinary achievements displayed through the 800-plus nominations received for this year’s British Ex-Forces in Business Awards should leave no doubt in anybody’s mind that the veteran talent pool must never be overlooked.”
