Growing with Purpose: Celebrating Business Leaders Who Scale with Impact

Building a business is one achievement. Sustaining it, growing it, and leading it with integrity over time is another altogether.

Across our Armed Forces community, there are entrepreneurs who have done just that. Individuals and teams who started with an idea, navigated uncertainty, and went on to build resilient, growing enterprises that create jobs, generate value, and contribute positively to society. Their journeys are shaped by service values: discipline, adaptability, and a deep sense of responsibility to others.

The Armed Forces Community Awards Business Scale-Up Award recognises these achievements.

Recognising Sustainable Growth and Leadership

This award honours an individual or group of individuals linked to the Armed Forces community who started a successful business venture more than two years ago (before 01 January 2024) and who continue to retain a minimum of 50% interest in the business.

It celebrates those who have moved beyond start-up phase to scale their operations, demonstrating strategic leadership, financial resilience, and a clear vision for sustainable growth.

These businesses are not only surviving; they are thriving. They are creating employment, strengthening supply chains, and contributing to local and national economies.

Enterprise Rooted in Service Experience

Many of these leaders draw on the skills developed through military life: decisive leadership, teamwork under pressure, and an ability to plan for the long term while adapting to change.  Scaling a business requires judgement, patience and courage. It means investing in people, systems and culture, often while balancing the personal realities of transition from service or ongoing family commitments. These entrepreneurs demonstrate that Armed Forces experience remains a powerful asset.

The Meaning Behind a Nomination

For those leading growing businesses, recognition is often secondary to responsibility so a nomination for the Business Scale-Up Award can be profoundly affirming.

It acknowledges not just success, but endurance. It recognises effort, lessons learned, risks taken and teams built. For many, being nominated sends a powerful message and inspire others across the Armed Forces community who may be considering the entrepreneurial path.

Who Has Built Something That Endures?

Take a moment to reflect.

• Who do you know who has grown a business with integrity and purpose?

• Who has created opportunity for others?

• Who leads with values as well as vision?

Often, the most deserving individuals are focused on the future rather than recognition. Your nomination could be the encouragement that helps them pause and appreciate the scale of what they have achieved.

In Partnership with the LSEG Foundation

The Business Scale-Up Award is proudly delivered in partnership with the LSEG Foundation, whose work aligns closely with the values of opportunity, inclusion and long-term economic resilience.

The LSEG Foundation supports initiatives that promote financial education, employability, and entrepreneurship, helping individuals and communities build sustainable futures. Through its commitment to social impact and economic empowerment, the Foundation plays a meaningful role in supporting veterans and members of the Armed Forces community as they transition into civilian careers and business leadership.

"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.” Luke Manning, Head of LSEG Foundation

By backing programmes that enable enterprise, skills development and access to opportunity, the LSEG Foundation helps ensure that talent from the Armed Forces community continues to thrive in the world of business and beyond.

Celebrating Businesses That Grow with Purpose

Scaling a business is about more than growth metrics. It is about leadership, responsibility and the ability to build something that lasts.

By nominating an individual or team for the Armed Forces Community Business Scale-Up Award, you are recognising entrepreneurial excellence, sustained commitment, and the positive impact these businesses have on people and communities.

Now is the time to celebrate those who are building businesses and building futures, who will you nominate?

Nominate Today