Two members of the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance team have been shortlisted for British Ex-Forces in Business Awards.
Anna-Marie Tipping, Regional Lead for London and the South East and also Minority Groups and Families Projects Lead, and Assistant Regional Lead (South), Gary Sell are going for respectively the Champion of Women Award and Service Leaver of the Year.
This is the sixth annual British Ex-Forces in Business Awards, set up in 2017 to promote the vast breadth of achievements by veterans in second careers, shining a light on the veteran talent pool while also increasing visibility of business role models for service leavers, giving them the confidence to pursue their own post-service aspirations.
This year’s awards programme has attracted more than 1,100 nominations.
Royal Naval veteran Anna-Marie, served on HMS Manchester, Collingwood and Nelson as a Warfare Specialist.
Since then she has gained a postgraduate in Forensic Psychology, and has dedicated herself to improving Armed Forces community healthcare. She is passionate about ensuring the voices of all individuals are included when discussing health inequalities within Armed Forces community healthcare.
Gary served with both the Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery prior to medical discharge in 2013 for a Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI).
He was later diagnosed with PTSD and adjustment disorder, with multiple traumas, and spent a substantial amount of time in therapy with the Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS).
His experiences made him an ideal Peer Support Worker for the High Intensity Service (HIS), where he worked prior to becoming part of VCHA. TILS and HIS are now part of Op Courage.
Team Lead Lt Col Guy Benson said: “Awards such as these highlight that members of the Armed Forces community are an asset to any organisation. As the largest employer in England, the NHS benefits greatly from the skills developed whilst serving in the Armed Forces. I am delighted that the NHS has such a strong showing in the finalists this year, and shows that Trusts who are Veteran Aware support the development of this untapped pool of talent. Much deserved shortlisting for both members of my incredible team who never cease to amaze me. Good luck in the final!”
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.”
The winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on 29 June 2023 at the Grosvenor House London, Park Lane.
