Soldiering On Awards
About
The Rt Hon. the Earl Howe GBE PC
Patron
A seasoned Conservative peer, Lord Howe has held key roles including Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and Minister of State for Defence. His extensive experience in government and finance underpins his patronage of the awards.
Debra Allcock-Tyler
Vice President & Co-Chair
of Judges
As CEO of the Directory of Social Change, Debra champions the charity sector and co-leads the awards' judging panel, ensuring fair and impactful recognition.
Lt Gen (Ret’d) Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE
Co-Chair of Judges
With a distinguished military career and expertise in personnel and sustainability, Lt Gen Nugee co-chairs the judging panel, bringing strategic insight.
Lt Col Ren Kapur MBE
CEO, X-Forces Enterprise & Soldiering On Awards
Founder of X-Forces Enterprise (XFE), Ren has empowered over 2,000 veterans into business, leading the awards since their integration into XFE in 2018.
Martin Wing
Chief Operating Officer, X-Forces Enterprise & Soldiering On Awards
With over 35 years in engineering and consultancy, Martin oversees operational delivery and strategic growth across the organisations.
Dougie Thomson
Learning, Development & Community Events Manager
A British Army veteran, Doug leverages his experience to support veterans and their families, managing training courses and community events.
Leadership Team
Our Story
The Soldiering On Awards was founded in 2011 with a clear mission: to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Armed Forces community. What began as a tribute to service has grown into a nationally recognised platform that champions resilience, innovation, and the lasting impact of those who serve and support.
In 2018, the Awards entered a new era, strengthening its focus on today’s Armed Forces landscape and the evolving stories of veterans, service families, and community allies. While the brand continues to honour its legacy and past recipients, its purpose today is firmly rooted in recognising the individuals and organisations shaping the future.
Through year-round activity, the Awards shine a light on extraordinary contributions across society, uplifting voices that deserve to be heard and ensuring the Armed Forces community is celebrated not just once a year, but every day.
Soldiering On Academy
Unlocking potential. Restoring purpose. Building futures.
For Wounded, Injured, and Sick (WIS) Veterans
Healing through purpose.
Thriving through enterprise.
The transition from service can be complex, especially when facing physical or psychological challenges. For WIS veterans, the Academy offers a space to rebuild, not just a career, but confidence and clarity. Whether it’s discovering a new direction or reigniting an old passion, participants explore what's next: employment, self-employment, education or simply regaining the structure and pride that may have felt lost. With hands-on support and one-to-one guidance, no step is taken alone.
Their stories are proof of what’s possible.
For Cadets
Building tomorrow’s leaders, today.
In partnership with Cadet Forces and CVQO, the Academy gives young people a head start in life, not just in enterprise, but in confidence and character.
Cadets take on real-world challenges, guided by business mentors and supported by a team that believes in them. The experience is about discovering leadership, resilience, and a sense of community before they’ve even entered the workforce.
This is how we shape future changemakers, young people who carry the Armed Forces ethos forward with innovation and compassion.
For Spouses and Partners
Quiet strength deserves louder support.
Spouses and partners are often the hidden heroes, holding families together through deployments, relocations, and care responsibilities. Many sacrifice careers and ambitions along the way.
The Academy gives them time and space to focus on themselves, rebuilding confidence, reconnecting with their own aspirations, and exploring paths into employment or business. It's also a chance to connect with others who understand the emotional weight of military life and find strength in shared experience.
Your support makes it possible.
These groups, WIS veterans, cadets, and carers, represent some of the most deserving in our community. Each has enormous potential. Each deserves the chance to thrive.
The Soldiering On Awards fuels this ambition and your support means we continue to go further.
Thank you for helping to support their journey together with us.
The Soldiering On Awards directly support the Soldiering On Academy, enabling life-changing programmes for some of the most deserving members of the Armed Forces community.
From Wounded, Injured and Sick (WIS) veterans, to young cadets, to spouses caring for loved ones, this Academy is about rediscovery, self-belief, and building a meaningful future, together.