Royal British Veterans Enterprise recognised in national ranking for its work creating jobs and careers for veterans
Royal British Veterans Enterprise (RBVE) has been named one of the UK’s Top 50 Employers of Veterans 2026 – and is the first charity to appear in the national ranking.
The 50 GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme is the UK’s leading benchmark of Forces Friendly employment. Now in its fourth year, it recognises organisations that are delivering meaningful, long-term support for veterans, reservists and military families through recruitment, development, progression and retention. It also serves as the most in-depth guide for veterans, reservists and military families navigating their civilian careers.
RBVE has been recognised alongside major national employers including Serco, BT, Tesco, Microsoft, Northrop Grumman UK and Airbus. Inclusion in the Top 50 demands a genuine, measurable and enduring commitment to the Armed Forces community, embedded across recruitment, development, progression and retention strategies – with judging led by senior business leaders, veterans and subject‑matter experts.
The award reflects the charity’s work creating paid employment, training and career pathways for veterans and people with disabilities through its social enterprise operations.
Across RBVE, 17.9% of colleagues are veterans and a further 19.1% are family members of veterans. Within its social enterprise operations, more than 70% of the workforce are veterans and/or disabled people.
The charity’s impact is shaped by veterans at every level of the organisation. Veterans serve on its Trustee Board, lead national programmes, deliver supported employment coaching, work across its social enterprise and will head RBVE’s new Learning Academy when it launches in 2028. Many have overcome life-changing injuries, including limb loss, severe sight loss and head injuries, while others manage invisible disabilities such as poor mental health, PTSD, or chronic pain. With the right support, they are building successful careers while helping other veterans do the same.
The recognition comes as RBVE prepares to deliver a new £15 million social enterprise within its Centenary Village in Aylesford, Kent. The flagship development will double the number of paid opportunities for veterans and people with disabilities, while creating hundreds of short-term skills placements and clear pathways into sustainable careers.
Lisa Farmer, CEO of RBVE, said:
“Being recognised as the first charity in the UK’s Top 50 Employers of Veterans means a great deal to us. RBVE was built on the belief that a job can change a life, and I see that truth every day in our factories, offices, and communities. We don’t just talk about supporting veterans – we directly employ them, develop them and champion their talent in everything we do.
“I’m incredibly proud of our teams and of the veterans and disabled people who choose to build their careers with us. This recognition shows that our mission isn’t just words on a page. It’s lived, proven and making a real difference – inside RBVE and across the employers we work with.”
Ben Rossi, founder of the global Forces in Business Awards series and 50 GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme, said:
“Veteran employment has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. Increasing numbers of employers now recognise that creating dedicated career pathways for the military community is not an act of charity – it is a source of talent and competitive advantage that can strengthen businesses at every level.
“Each year, this ranking raises the bar and the competition to feature in the Top 50 grows more intense, which is exactly what we hoped for. It reflects a maturing ecosystem of Forces Friendly employers who are not simply hiring veterans – they are building the cultures, structures and career pathways that allow military talent to flourish over the long term. Their success provides a powerful blueprint for others seeking to better engage with the Armed Forces community.”
RBVE is encouraging employers, supporters and partners across Kent and nationwide to get involved by backing its work, partnering with the charity, or exploring how they can create more opportunities for veterans and people with disabilities in Kent and beyond.
