Professor shortlisted for British Ex-Forces national award
A Professor at the University of Chester has been shortlisted for a Lifetime Achievement award in the British Ex-Forces in Business awards.
Professor of Nursing and Military Mental Health, Dr Alan Finnegan is the Director of the Westminster Centre for Research in Veterans at the University of Chester. The Ex-Forces in Business awards is the world's largest celebration of veterans in second careers. The winners will be announced in London on June 27.
Alan joined the University and established the Centre in 2016. He has been appointed as Principal Investigator for 40 studies totalling over £10m. These include awards from the NHS, Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, Forces in Mind Trust, the Royal British Legion and Business. Alan is a Chair of the: Armed Forces Network (Northwest England) and the Cheshire Armed Forces Community Partnership. He is a member of the NHSE Armed Forces Clinical Reference Group and the Office for Veterans Affairs Academic Advisory Board. Alan served in the British Army for nearly 30 years including five years on operational tours.
The awards are dedicated to providing a much-needed platform for uncovering and showcasing the business achievements of ex-military, presenting them as role models to service leavers, and recognising the employers that support current and former members of the British Armed Forces. The prestigious events promote the huge value that military-gained skills and values add to the UK economy in their second careers.
Alan said: “It is a huge honour to be recognised in this way. I would like to thank everyone who works alongside me at the Westminster Centre for Research in Veterans at the University for their dedication to their work in helping to improve the lives of veterans across the country.”
Ben Rossi, founder of the British Ex-Forces in Business Awards, said: “The incredible achievements documented through the 900-plus nominations we received for this year’s Awards are simply staggering. The fact they have been enabled by skills and values gained in the British Armed Forces should leave employers in no doubt of the value veterans offer.
“We are proud of the role these Awards play in showcasing and championing the veteran talent pool. The Ex-Forces in Business Awards evidence very clearly that supporting the transition of servicemen and women into meaningful second careers is not just the right thing to do, or a tick in a CSR box – it’s a tried and tested route to acquiring exceptional talent who will add enormous value to your business. Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and thank you for serving as such tremendous role models for service leavers.”