Compass Group UK & Ireland shortlisted for four British Forces in Business Awards
- Advocate of the Year – organisation
- Team Leader of the Year
- Service Leader
- Lifetime Achievement
Compass Group UK & Ireland is proud to have four finalists in the annual British Forces in Business Awards, reflecting its commitment in supporting veterans and the wider armed forces community.
2025 will be the eighth annual edition of the flagship programme, showcasing the armed forces community’s vast contributions to all parts of the economy. Each year, more than 15,000 individuals leave the British Armed Forces with transferable skills and values nurtured in elite training and operational environments.
Selected following a competitive process of hundreds of businesses, both Compass as an organisation and three of its colleagues have received recognition for their work.
Advocate of the Year (organisation)
Compass Group UK & Ireland is proud to champion the armed forces community through a wide range of impactful initiatives. With a dedicated Armed Forces Committee made up of Veterans, Reservists, Spouses, and Allies, Compass has created policies and programmes that support, celebrate, and empower those connected to the military. From paid leave for Reservists and tailored support for military Spouses, to Veterans’ breakfasts, Forces Families Days and Spouse & Advocacy round table events to share best practice - the business is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and recognition.
With over 1,500 Veterans supported through community events and a growing internal network, Compass continues to lead by example as a Forces Friendly employer - ensuring those who’ve served, and their families, feel valued and supported every step of the way.
Richard 'Taff' Payne - Team Leader of the Year
Richard Payne has dedicated himself to the delivery of health and safety across Defence Soft FM services in the Southwest. With 17 years at ESS and a 22-year Army background, Richard's operational discipline and people-focused leadership have transformed the HSE culture, making safety a top priority for all teams. Under Richard’s leadership, preventative measures such as safety hazard observations have tripled and safety walks increased tenfold, each having a direct impact on the reduction of overall incidents.
Jamie Anderson - Service Leaver
Jamie Anderson has made an outstanding impact since transitioning from military to civilian life, using his own experience to support fellow veterans. Recognising the challenges of leaving the armed forces, Jamie launched a local version of the UK Veterans Breakfast Initiative - creating a welcoming space where veterans can connect, share stories, and access support services. What began as a small gathering has grown into a vital community network, serving over 1,500 veterans annually and offering not just meals, but a renewed sense of belonging.
Mark Long - Lifetime Achievement
Mark Long brings over two decades of military service, culminating as a Warrant Officer at Sandhurst - into a distinguished civilian career with ESS at the Defence Academy. Drawing on the leadership, discipline, and values instilled during his Army years, Mark has led transformational change across operations, championing innovation, sustainability, and service excellence. From implementing zero-landfill initiatives to launching digital and frictionless retail solutions, his work continues to make a meaningful impact on the Defence community.
Camilla Howard, Regional Manager Chartwells Independent and Co-Chair of Compass’ Armed Forces Network: “We are delighted to have made the shortlist in four award categories. We are hugely proud to support veterans, cadets, spouses and those from the armed forces community in our workforce. We recognise the tremendous sacrifice those in the armed forces make. As a large employer we are keen to do all that we can to support with the transition to civilian life for veterans, help spouses - especially during deployments or with relocation and of course provide reservists and the cadets time that is needed for training. We are really looking forward to celebrating and recognising all those who go above and beyond for the armed forces community in June.”
