2023 Finalists
We are delighted to reveal the shortlist for the inaugural LGBTQ+ Defence Awards. These finalists were whittled down from more than 250 amazing nominations demonstrating the power of LGBTQ+ inclusivity in defence. The winners were revealed at the LGBTQ+ Defence Awards gala ceremony on 17 October 2023 in London’s Covent Garden. Click here to view the winners.
Advocate of the Year
Cpl Darren Wilson-Kean, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, British Army
Cpl Peter Fisher, Defence School of Intelligence
Emlyn Taylor, Lockheed Martin UK
Giles Gibson, MBDA
Marcus Fenlon, MBDA
Paul Kellett, BAE Systems
Rose Worthy, Capita
WO1 Robbie Buglass, Royal Navy
Ally of the Year
Calum Smith, MBDA
Emma Ellis, Capita
Gp Capt Lisa Mullineux, Royal Air Force
Ian McNeil, Boeing
Jane Fenn, BAE Systems
Luke Bonnett, Frazer-Nash Consultancy
Nick Pett, Ministry of Defence
Rebekah Halton, BAE Systems
SSgt Rhys Davies, Royal School of Military Survey
WO2 Jonjo Blain AGC (RMP), The Mission Ready Training Centre
Armed Forces Leader of the Year
Brig Clare Phillips CBE, Army Personnel Centre
Col Simon Puxley, Defence Intelligence
Lt Gen Charlie Stickland, Ministry of Defence
Maj Harry Walter, Intelligence Corps, British Army
Maj Stephanie Hayward, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps
Surg Cdr Dr Mike Hill, Royal Navy
WO Tracy Barrow, Defence College Of Policing and Guarding
Graduate or Apprentice of the Year
Alisha Kasobya, MBDA
Benjamin Andrews, BAE Systems
Cfn Josiah Byrom, British Army
Charlie Bennett, BAE Systems
Freddie Willoughby, BAE Systems
Matthew Shaw, BAE Systems
Innovator of the Year
Chris Poulton, BAE Systems
Kaz Self, Rolls-Royce
Lacey Harrison, Serco RAF Fylingdales
Lynn O’Donnell, DSTL
Neil Reeves, Defence College for Military Capability Integration
Neil Sherwin-Peddie, BAE Systems
Roz Taylor, Frazer-Nash Consultancy
Tim Tillett, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence
Inspiration of the Year
Ivy Speight, Leonardo
Jenna Powell, BAE Systems
LCpl Eve Wild, British Army Shooting Team
Peter Geering, Frazer-Nash Consultancy
Sgt Sarah O’Connor, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, British Army
Sgt Stuart King, Army Foundation College (Harrogate)
Thomas Lowes, BAE Systems
WO2 Deborah Penny MBE, The Army Engagement Group, British Army
LGBTQ+ Network or Initiative of the Year
Frazer-Nash Pride & Allies
L3Harris in Tewkesbury and Fleet PRIDE Employee Resource Group
MOD LGBTQ+ Allies Programme
OutLink, BAE Systems
PrIDA Employee Resource Group, Northrop Grumman
The Leonardo Pride Network
LGBTQ+ Trailblazer of the Year
Adam George, Lockheed Martin UK
Amélie Beedham, Thales UK
Dougie Morgan, Fighting with Pride
Elaine Chambers, Newport Health Centre
Jo Chambers-Grant, MBDA
Laura Farhall, British Defence Staff Washington DC
Ruben van Schalkwyk, Aon
Sgt Kelly Flynn, Royal Air Force
Toby Watkin-Jones, Amazon Web Services
Outstanding Achiever of the Year
AS1 Amber Sudbury, Royal Air Force, Joint Service Signal Unit (Digby)
Ben Wilberforce-Ritchie, BAE Systems
Cpl James Flanagan, 7 SCOTS, Royal Regiment of Scotland, British Army
CPO (MAA) Michelle Garrett, Royal Navy Police
Fred Elsey, Lockheed Martin UK
LCpl Amy Cowen, British Army Recruiting Group
Sgt Bethan Garland-Ridding, Army Foundation College (Harrogate)
Rising Star of the Year
AirTpr Liam Cole, 1 Regiment Army Air Corps, Army Air Corps, British Army
Cfn Riley Morgan, 29 Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Search, British Army
Gareth Sterry, Capita
Kyle Blake, British Army Band Tidworth
Lauren Coulbeck, Ministry of Defence, Devonport Naval Base
Lt Bradley Setchell, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps
Lt Charlotte Atkins, Southampton University Officer Training Corps, British Army
Olivia Hake, Northrop Grumman
Role Model of the Year
Capt McLain Carter, Adjutant General’s Corps, British Army
Cpl Carlea Jane Chant, Royal Army Medical Corps, British Army
Jacks Connor-Fox, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S)
SSgt Jessica & SSgt Leigh Schofield-Perrett, Intelligence Corps, British Army
Rebecca Cartwright, BAE Systems
Simone Joachim, ITPAero
SSgt Matt Paget, Intelligence Corps, British Army
WO2 Jon Cox, Army Welfare Service