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Colleagues through to finals of British Ex-Forces in Business Awards 2023

We are delighted to celebrate the success of four of our colleagues who have made the finals of the sixth annual British Ex-Forces in Business Awards.

Kevin Hunt, who is a Programmes Executive in our Customer Support Services (CSS), is a finalist for the Business Leader of the Year (large company) category;

Toby Box, who is a Group Lead in Electronic Engineering for our Operations Directorate, has been shortlisted for New Service Leaver of the Year;

Tony Whittaker, who is a Manufacturing Programme Manager at our Bolton site, is up for the Military Values in Business Award, and;

Gilbey Crilley, who is also a Manufacturing Programme Manager at our Bolton site, is in the running for Team Leader of the Year.

In announcing the shortlists, British Ex-Forces in Business Awards revealed that finalists had come from a record number of nominations.

Reacting to the news of reaching the finals Kevin, who previously served as a Artificer Sergeant Major in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), said, “I am humbled to have been nominated, even more amazed to have been shortlisted.”

Echoing this sentiment, Toby, who left the RAF as a Flight Sergeant after 25 years’ service, said, “It was a complete surprise to hear that I had been nominated, let alone shortlisted. I'm honoured and grateful for this recognition.”

Tony, formerly a Warrant Officer in the Royal Logistic Corps, added he was “Tremendously appreciative and very humbled to have been nominated by MBDA and shortlisted for this award.”

Gilbey, who was a Major in the British Army, concluded our finalists’ reactions saying, “The opportunity to represent the Veteran community and MBDA at a national awards event is a real honour. Leadership is a fundamental trait required of all military personnel and it is excellent that businesses, like MBDA, recognise and value this skill.”

The British Ex-Forces in Business Awards are the largest awards ceremony for the armed forces. Launched in 2017, they promote the wide range of achievements of veterans in second careers, highlighting the skills and values they bring from their experience of serving their country.

This year’s winners will be announced at a gala ceremony in London in June.

Good luck to all four of you!

As a Gold Award holder for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, MBDA has proactively demonstrated its Armed Forces-friendly credentials as part of our recruitment and selection processes.

If you have an Armed Forces background and are looking for a new place to work, one that values your skills and experience, why not look at the roles we have on offer here.

You can also read about the experiences of some of our other ex-service people, like Michael, Toby, and Russell, and their moves into working at MBDA.