Celebrating Entrepreneurial Excellence: Meet the 2024 Soldiering On Business Award Winners

The Soldiering On Awards fulfils an important role in recognising and celebrating the remarkable individuals, teams and enterprises from the Armed Forces community who embody the military spirit of determination, innovation, and resilience. Organised by X-Forces Enterprise (XFE), these awards shine a light on the tremendous impact that veterans, serving personnel, and their families have on society and the economy.

While the Soldiering On Awards honour excellence across a wide range of categories, the business awards are some of the most keenly contested. These categories celebrate entrepreneurial drive and the enterprising nature of Armed Forces personnel as they adapt their military skills to thrive in the civilian world. As Richard Bearman, MD Small Business Lending at British Business Bank, who leads the Start Up Loans Programme, put it:

“The Soldiering On Awards business categories showcase entrepreneurial endeavour and the enterprising nature of members of the Armed Forces community. Their commitment, dedication, and ability to adapt – all core values within the military – are precisely what is required to be successful in self-employment. As we hear their stories and recognise their achievements, we have reason to be optimistic about the future. The new Government’s energy to support start-ups is most welcome, and can only be good news for the dynamic Military in Business family of businesses supported by X-Forces Enterprise and the Soldiering On Awards.”

The 2024 Soldiering On Awards was further elevated by the presence of the Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports, Gareth Thomas MP, who made the time to attend and personally endorse the Military in Business community, recognising their exceptional contribution to both the economy and society, and highlighting the importance of continued support for veteran-led enterprises.

With that in mind, let’s meet the 2024 Soldiering On Awards business winners, who have impressed with their ingenuity, resilience, and social impact.

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
WINNER: Brendan Williams – 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.

These three winners are living proof of the power of the Armed Forces community to not only adapt but excel in the business world. Soldiering On Awards is honoured to have played a role in supporting their journeys and look forward to continuing to amplify their stories to inspire the next generation of military entrepreneurs who will undoubtedly follow in their footsteps. Through their success, we celebrate not only individual achievement but the broader contribution the military community makes to the UK’s social and economic fabric.

As Richard Bearman so aptly put it, their commitment and adaptability are the cornerstones of entrepreneurial success, and with continued support, the future of military-led businesses is undeniably bright.

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For the full list of Soldiering On Awards 2024 winners, click here: 2024 Winners Announced – Soldiering On Awards