Victoria Wales recognised with LGBTQ+ Defence Awards nomination

Staff member Victoria Wales, a former Royal Army Physical Training Corps Instructor, served for many years before medical discharge meant she had to return to civilian life.

This means she is all too familiar with the challenges veterans face readjusting and, as in her case, also having to come to terms with no longer being as physically active as before, she now works as our Regional Operations Manager for the North East and Yorkshire region.

Vic recently discovered that she has been shortlisted for the award of Veteran of the Year at the 2025 LGBTQ Defence Awards which will take place on 23 September in the Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden, London. Born out of a call for reparations and recognition, the LGBTQ+ Defence Awards have since grown into the largest and most visible celebration globally of LGBTQ+ contributions to UK Defence.

Vic manages the front-line team in the north-east of England who deliver our care programmes to veterans and their families in need, and she recently launched Her Hub offering safe and understanding support in a female-only space, and with child-friendly facilities, for female veterans.

On hearing the news, Vic said “I can’t believe it, and I truly don’t know who put my name forward. Wow. So many people do so much for veterans, so I feel both completely honoured but also surprised. It’s not just me, it’s the incredible team I work with – we all do what we do to make the transition back into civvy street as smooth as possible for our veterans, regardless of what additional challenges many of them face.”

Known for its welcoming atmosphere, the awards ceremony brings together senior military leaders, business executives, civil servants and politicians, reinforcing the vital link between inclusion and operational effectiveness in defence.