#XFE10 Magazine

CELEBRATING10 YEARSOFXFE!

THE FIRST DECADE

SUPPORTING MILITARY IN BUSINESS

10,000+ INDIVIDUALS

supported to consider, start and scale their business aspirations

£29.5M FINANCE FACILITATED via the Government-funded Start Up Loans scheme

4 POLICY CHANGES

Influenced for the Military in Business community

42,786 HOURS of enterprise training

282 WOUNDED, INJURED & SICK supported to decide if selfemployment could be right for them

2978 HUB MEMBERS engaged in the Military in Business® network

SERVICE CONNECTION

33% FEMALE led businesses

SERVICE STATUS

10 YEARS OF MILITARY ENTREPRENEURSHIP

It is my very great privilege to have taken over from Lord Young as Patron of X-Forces Enterprise, alongside Earl Howe, and to become Chairman of this amazing organisation.

What Ren and Martin have built in XFE is in no small way down to endless, relentless, tireless positivity, and that is a real asset. There have been one or two really quite difficult times in the last few years, both for Ren personally and for XFE, and yet throughout that has run this incredible tenacity. This has characterised the leadership from the top and the whole organisation.

What has also come home to me really strongly, and has clearly been exported over the last 10 years, is that it’s not about ‘them’ – not Ren and Martin, nor the organisation itself, but recognising that doing the best for our people is what it's all about.

Celebrating XFE’s 10th anniversary at the London Stock Exchange was absolutely wonderful, and there is so much to celebrate:10,000 individuals supported, nearly £31m worth of finance facilitated, and over 3000 members of the Military in Business network. Additionally, 33% of the businesses have been female led, which

is remarkably good, particularly coming from an Armed Forces background.

The other focus is a huge theme of community and this is something that seems to be growing more and more. From the Big Business Supporting Small Business initiative to the Spouses programme, which has been so unbelievably successful in recognising their worth and commitment.

What is the explosive secret sauce that has made XFE so successful over the last 10 years? Part of it is Ren and Martin, part of it is the people around them, the new board which was created just recently, but it's also the sense of community. The ability to allow the extraordinary to emerge from the ordinary.

Most people in the military think they are ordinary, and there's nothing special about us, we're not heroes, but what X-Forces Enterprise has been able to identify is the extraordinary within each of us and give it a real boost and that's something to be really proud of. Happy birthday XFE!

Lt. General Richard Nugee Chairman, X-Forces Enterprise

REN KAPUR MBE REFLECTS ON TEN YEARS OF X-FORCES ENTERPRISE

At our recent 10th anniversary celebration, each member of the audience in the London Stock Exchange’s lecture theatre played a part in X-Forces Enterprise’s journey.

It was a joy for me to share such a wonderful and emotional occasion with so many people who have been there as XFE has grown and developed over the years. Additionally, we were joined by new members of the family who have pledged to support us in our future endeavours.

The word family means a lot to me –

I put my heart and soul into our community to get where we are today. The aspiration for XFE came about ten years ago. I’d heard a lot of stories and seen data about people being left behind, being homeless, or physically unable to do a regular 9 to 5 job for varied reasons.

Having been someone, a long time ago, who didn’t fit in culturally and experienced certain vulnerabilities, I wondered how people who had put their lives on the line for their country could be supported better - there had to be another way. That was all it took.

I thought somebody had to do something about this. So, I did.

At the heart of our model was the individual and to give that individual enterprise skills while ensuring that they did not just go on a journey to start their own business if it wasn’t right for them. We wanted them to know that it was a success to say ‘you know what, I’m not mad enough to take those risks and experience all those sleepless nights!’

From the beginning we knew that it was vital to get the right stakeholders in the room. Our finance partner, British Business Bank, enabled us to offer ethical microfinancing to budding entrepreneurs. Their approach is rigorous, and we live by that code every day. Their support has not only changed lives for the better but has launched new lives in the world of enterprise.

Similarly, way back at the beginning, we were blessed with a wonderful intervention by David Murray, then the Director General of SSAFA, who explained that we would have some very vulnerable people coming to us that we couldn’t help. He said, however, that we had an SOS that we could use, which was to call on SSAFA or other charity partners. That’s the power of community. Without our partners we wouldn’t be able to look after people the way we have done.

People are living longer, retiring sooner, and no longer have one career for life. Instead, they ebb and flow from employment to selfemployment, side hustles, and freelancing. Our programme is one of lifelong learning, whether an individual intends to start a business or not.

CELEBRATING TEN YEARS!

This month, X-Forces Enterprise (XFE)the UK’s largest business support organisation for the Armed Forces community - celebrated its tenth anniversary at the London Stock Exchange.

Vice Admiral Phil Hally CB MBE, Chief of Defence People, joined XFE's CEO and Founder, Ren Kapur MBE, to close the market at London Stock Exchange on Thursday 6th July, hosted by Eric Warren and James Eaton of London Stock Exchange Group.

The celebratory event included a session on the impact of military entrepreneurship, which was opened with an address by Johnny Mercer MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. Leaders from the Ministry of Defence, big business, and military charities gathered with entrepreneurs to celebrate the occasion and mark a unique collaboration that has fostered thousands of new businesses.

Since the social enterprise was founded in 2013, XFE has supported over 10,000 Service Leavers, veterans, military spouses, and family members to consider, start, and scale up their business aspirations through a unique package of services that includes training, funding, mentoring, knowledge exchange, and peer-to-peer networking.

XFE facilitates access to Start Up Loan finance as the official Armed Forces Community Business Support Partner for the Government’s British Business Bank. Each entrepreneur is supported by a business advisor to write their business plan and consider cashflow, plus mentoring guidance for the first twelve months post-launch.

42,786 hours of enterprise training have been delivered by XFE in our first decade, a crucial element of X-Forces Enterprise’s free-to-access provision. XFE is the appointed Enterprise Trainer for the Ministry of Defence transition scheme, which sees 800 participants per year, and has developed bespoke training programmes for wounded, injured, sick, and vulnerable groups in partnership with the UK’s military charities.

Vice Admiral Phil Hally CB MBE, Chief of Defence People, praised XFE's efforts in empowering service leavers to fulfil their ambitions:

“There is evidence that selfemployment tends to be a second or third choice, instead of a first employment option, as many of our Service leavers may be looking to move into another secure source of income upon discharge. Therefore, the workshops and resources that X-Forces Enterprises provide during transition

are extremely valuable as they provide our Service Leavers with the tools to prepare them for their longer-term ambition.”

Director Armed Forces People Policy at UK Ministry of Defence, Helen Helliwell, spoke about XFE's commitment to provide support to the wider military family:

“Families are the bedrock of defence. We often say that you recruit the individual, but you retain them through their family. Our families put up with a lot, and many don’t feel valued, so X-Forces Enterprise's provision really nestles into our wider families strategy.”

The London Stock Exchange served as a spectacular space for the event and brought back memories of XFE's 5th anniversary at the same extraordinary venue.

David Shalders, COO at London Stock Exchange Group, underlined the organisation's commitment to the Armed Forces community and its appreciation of the skills of ex-military personnel:

“We really do love the skills and qualities that veterans bring to our organisation. We’re about to launch a recruitment campaign as we want more of them to join our vibrant, successful and growth mindset organisation."

MILESTONE MOMENTS

XFE: THE FIRST DECADE TIMELINE

We were delighted that Vice Admiral Phil Hally, Chief of Defence People, agreed to address our 10th anniversary audience. He spoke on a range of issues including ten years of X-Forces Enterprise.

"The organisation has a lot to celebrate; over its first 10 years it has helped over 10,000 individuals in the Armed Forces family to consider, start, and scale their business aspirations. I refer to the individuals they have helped as the Armed Forces community because XFE's support has not been limited to Service Leavers who are looking for the next step on their career journey.

"Their support also includes Armed Forces veterans who are looking to change their career; and spouses of military personnel and family members who are supported through the

CHIEF OF DEFENCE

PEOPLE HAILS #XFE10

organisation. Community is also the right word because X-Forces Enterprise has established the Military in Business Network with the support of The Royal British Legion. This helps business owners to share best practice in an inclusive space that means, much like their time serving, they have a band of business comrades to turn to for support."

"The success of X-Forces Enterprise in supporting our Armed Forces Community is recognised by us in the Ministry of Defence with the award of the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award; the highest badge of honour in our Employer Recognition Awards Scheme." Watch

The Minister made time in his packed schedule to pay tribute to X-Forces Enterprise’s ten years of supporting the entrepreneurial ambitions of members of the Armed Forces community. He said: "It’s a pleasure to be here today celebrating ten years of X-Forces and the brilliant work that Ren has done. I first got involved in this in 2015, all those years ago, and you've got an incredible record. You've done an amazing job and I know you've changed thousands of lives in that process. So I’m delighted to be here today to support you and to pay tribute to you."

The Minister spoke about the number one factor that improves the life chances of any veteran in the UK,

irrespective of the stage they are at on their journey - having a job. But how does an individual use their military training and apply that into the workplace and get not just any job, but one that fulfils their life chances and opportunities, that they are absolutely entitled to?

You can watch Johnny Mercer's speech and hear him address these issues, as well as recognise the part played by XForces Enterprise, by clicking the button below.

Johnny Mercer MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, salutes the Armed Forces community members leading the way in small business ownership.

And...A Scotsman?

Over the course of the last ten years, our beneficiaries have been at the very heart of X-Forces Enterprise. They are the reason we do what we do.

We have supported the launch of thousands of businesses, but more than that, we have created a community where entrepreneurs from the Armed Forces family can come together, share ideas, and exchange knowledge.

We invited some of our beneficiaries to join us at London Stock Exchange for our 10th anniversary celebrations, and to share their stories in a panel session chaired by Mark Neill, Managing Director of XFE partner organisation Landmarc Solutions. Here's a little snapshot of what they had to say.

A former Military Clerk with the Staff and Personnel Support Branch of the Adjutant General's Corps of the British Army, Jen Bradburn is a freelance SEO specialist who helps businesses boost their online presence:

“I’ve been involved in training, I’ve done a lot of networking, I’ve met so many people. I now have customers via the XFE network and it’s really nice because people are like-minded."

Shaun Moat served in the Royal Air Force before making the move into marketing. In 2021 he launched Donut Pig Digital Media, based in Moray, Scotland: “X-Forces Enterprise helped me fund my first business. Since then, through the support they've given me

XFE beneficiaries on breaking barriers and overcoming adversity.

wasn’t for X-Forces Enterprise, I probably wouldn't be here now. The belief that was put into me by XFE to take something forward has probably saved my life, but also saved many others.

I’ve been able to scale my business, acquire a second business, merge them and grow. I volunteer as a Business Captain to give back because, when we’re in the military, we have colleagues to bounce ideas off, but in business it's very lonely."

Hannah Saunders, formerly of the Royal Air Force, may have started her natural skincare company Toddle at her kitchen table, but she has gone on to win numerous awards and accolades, as well as attracting investment on Dragons Den, where she was described as the 'best prepared entrepreneur ever':

“I don’t want to sound dramatic, but I wouldn’t be here without X-Forces Enterprise, I would not be running this business. Those first really challenging steps into business, when I just wasn’t sure, XFE was there. I didn’t have a clue, and now we’re a seven-figure company, we sell into America, across Asia and Europe. If I can do it, anyone can, and it's down to XFE.”

Neel Singh is a serving Reservist in the Royal Navy, with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He is also the owner of the award-winning Dorking Brewery, located on a picturesque farm in the heart of Surrey. Neel is proudly passionate about creating high-quality beers with the finest ingredients:

“It is really, really hard running a business and there are many days that all you do is deal with problems. Your support network is really important. There’s nothing like speaking to a business owner because they’ve been there and done that. You’re not alone.”

After serving with the British Army for 12 years and being medically retired from his subsequent career as a prison officer, Nigel Seaman was suffering from PTSD. He started Combat2Coffee as a way of giving back to his support network:

“If it wasn’t for X-Forces Enterprise, I probably wouldn't be here now. The belief that was put into me by XFE to take something forward has probably saved my life, but also saved many others as well.”

Our panel chair Mark Neill added: “I served for eight years, and when I left there was nothing like XFE. I often wonder, had XFE been around when I left, would I have gone into business for myself rather than someone else?”

You can watch a video of the panel discussion by clicking the button below.

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THE JOY OF SEEING THE COMMUNITY CONNECT AND NETWORK

Our profound thanks go to London Stock Exchange Group for their wonderful hospitality as hosts of our 10th anniversary celebrations.

THE FINAL WORD

For the final word on this celebration of ten years of X-Forces Enterprise, we caught up with Joint-CEO, Martin Wing, for his thoughts. We began by asking Martin what he considers to be the company’s top achievement over the years.

“I believe our best achievement is the fact that we’re still here and strong! There are many things we’ve done over the last 10 years that I look back on with great pride. For instance, the policy changes we’ve been behind, like the guidance notes for the Armed Forces Covenant where we asked signatories of the Covenant to consider militaryowned small businesses in their supply chain.

"Another highlight was getting some of our beneficiaries on stage at the 10th anniversary event talking about the

experiences they’ve had and how XFE made a fundamental, positive impact on their lives. I guess that’s what I’m most proud of. To hear someone like Nigel Seaman of Combat2Coffee say: ‘if it wasn’t for the support I got through XFE, I wouldn’t be here’ – that made me choke up.”

What do think has been the main factor in XFE’s longevity?

“Collaboration. Right from the get-go, Ren was very focused on the stakeholders and players in this particular space coming together to ensure this provision was available. If we were a delivery partner for just one organisation, we would be in a very vulnerable position. The reason we've achieved this longevity is that we have different strands and can continue to deliver for our beneficiaries.”

How important are the relationships with the partners?

“As I said about our longevity, the relationships with our partners are absolutely crucial. We have 15 corporate partners at present, all actively engaged with us and supporting us. We have commercial contracts with British Business Bank and with the Career Transition Partnership. We have funding relationships or referral relationships with some very influential and wellknown Armed Forces charities. All these relationships are fundamental."

What do you think the next ten years will look like for XFE?

“The first ten years were very much focused on ‘start’ – by that I mean people who were starting their businesses, looking at self-employment as a career track. This will always be our fundamental focus, supporting people

into the new world of business ownership. It is also important that we don’t lose sight of the organisations that we have supported over the last decade. They are now in a position where they’re growing and employing – I would like us to be working more with them to help their growth journey and, in turn, seeing those organisations doing more to support people embarking on start-up journeys.

“We’ve always said that there should be a virtual circle of success and we can only provide that to the start-ups if we continue to work with those who are scaling and growing.

“I’d like to end by saying a huge thank you to our board (pictured above), who have agreed to stay on for another term, our Patron Earl Howe, and to thank London Stock Exchange Group for their generous hospitality during our 10th anniversary celebration.”