In a remarkable gathering befitting the spirit of service and resilience that defines the Armed Forces community, Royal Hospital Chelsea played host to the official launch of The Armed Forces Community Awards Soldiering On 2026. The invite-only evening brought together an inspiring cross-section of those who champion and embody the values at the heart of the awards.
Against the iconic backdrop of one of Britain’s most historic military institutions, sponsors, corporate partners, distinguished judges, past nominees, nominators and winners came together to mark the beginning of another year dedicated to honouring extraordinary achievement, resilience and community contribution across the Armed Forces family.
“We are thrilled to launch The Armed Forces Community Awards Soldiering On in such a meaningful and emblematic setting,” said Ren Kapur MBE, CEO of The Armed Forces Community Awards. “This event is more than a ceremony, it’s a celebration of the courage, the camaraderie and the enduring spirit that radiates throughout the Armed Forces community, from serving personnel and veterans to families, supporters and organisations.”
Throughout the afternoon, guests shared stories of remarkable impact, from career reinvention and charitable leadership to innovations in health, inclusion and community support. This launch marks the start of the nationwide nomination campaign, inviting individuals and organisations to spotlight the people whose achievements inspire and uplift across the UK.
Attendees also had the opportunity to connect with the independent panel of judges, reaffirming the awards’ commitment to recognising excellence across a wide range of categories that reflect the diversity and breadth of service within the military community.
The Nominations Lauch of The Armed Forces Community Awards has proudly been sponsored by PPL, the leading data and technology platform that serves the London Insurance market. .
“PPL are delighted to be the nominations partner for this year’s inspirational Armed Forces Community Awards @ Soldiering On.” said John Mason, CEO of PPL, “The Awards shine a light on the incredible levels of determination, resilience and ambition of both individuals and teams in the Armed Forces community.”
This year’s series of awards builds on a legacy of shining a spotlight on stories that uplift and remind us all of the enduring strength and contribution of the Armed Forces community to society. Through shared stories of determination, leadership and innovation, Soldiering On continues to unite and inspire.
Nominations are now open across multiple categories, that reflect the diversity and impact of the Armed Forces community, including a new category for 2026, the Connecting Society Award. Building on the legacy of the Family Values Award, this new category reflects a broader, whole-society commitment to the Armed Forces community and recognises the vital role that organisations, communities and families play in shaping a stronger, more connected society.
The search is now underway to uncover inspiring stories from across the Armed Forces community. If you know someone whose determination, leadership or service deserves to be celebrated, nominations can be made online at www.soldieringon.org/nominate
