Evidence & Impact
Research-backed evidence underpinning our mission and partnerships
An Evidence-Led Approach
British Veteran Owned is an evidence-led organisation. All of our partnerships, funding applications, and advocacy work are grounded in UK national statistics and recognised research from government bodies, industry associations, and academic institutions.
This page consolidates the key evidence base that demonstrates the scale, value, and strategic importance of veteran entrepreneurship in the United Kingdom.
Veterans in the UK Economy
The UK Armed Forces veteran community represents a significant and economically active segment of the adult population.
UK Armed Forces veterans residing in Great Britain
of the adult population are veterans
employment rates compared to non-veterans
Veteran Entrepreneurship: Scale and Impact
Research from the Federation of Small Businesses demonstrates that veteran-owned enterprises represent a substantial and impactful segment of the UK small business landscape.
of UK small businesses are veteran-owned
veteran-owned small enterprises across the UK
of veteran-led businesses employ staff
Sector Distribution of Veteran-Owned Businesses
FSB research indicates that veteran-owned businesses are concentrated in sectors that are foundational to the UK economy and often critical to national infrastructure and supply chains.
- 1
Manufacturing
Production and industrial enterprises
- 2
Construction
Building and infrastructure services
- 3
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Consultancy, engineering and specialist services
- 4
Wholesale, Retail & Repair
Trade and maintenance services
Source: Federation of Small Businesses research
Business and Employer Value
Employers who have hired veterans consistently report positive outcomes across multiple business metrics. Research from government and industry bodies identifies the following benefits:
Skills Shortages Resolved
Veterans bring transferable technical and leadership skills that address critical workforce gaps
Improved Team Performance
Military-trained personnel enhance team cohesion, discipline and operational effectiveness
Increased Innovation & Resilience
Veterans bring adaptability, problem-solving capabilities and crisis management experience
Sources
- Federation of Small Businesses – Social Value Survey
- Deloitte / Veterans Work (opens in new tab)
- GOV.UK – Employer's Guide to Hiring Veterans (opens in new tab)
Barriers Faced by Veteran Entrepreneurs
Despite their strengths, veteran entrepreneurs face structural barriers when transitioning to civilian business ownership. The UK Government's Strategy for Our Veterans identifies the following challenges:
Access to Finance
Difficulty accessing appropriate business finance, including challenges in demonstrating creditworthiness and securing loans without civilian business track records.
Civilian Networks
Limited access to established civilian business networks, mentorship opportunities, and professional connections that non-veteran entrepreneurs may take for granted.
Skills Translation
Challenges in articulating military experience and qualifications in terms that civilian employers, investors, and customers readily understand and value.
Why British Veteran Owned Exists
British Veteran Owned was established to address the barriers faced by veteran entrepreneurs and to unlock the economic potential of this community. Our approach is designed to create lasting, systemic change:
Free Verification
We provide free verification services for all veteran-owned businesses, removing financial barriers to recognition and credibility.
Trust Signalling
Our verification mark provides consumers and procurement teams with confidence in the authenticity of veteran-owned status.
Equal Visibility
Every verified business receives the same platform exposure regardless of size, revenue, or industry sector.
Evidence-Led Advocacy
We use robust data and research to advocate for policy changes and increased support for veteran entrepreneurs.
Relevance to Funding, CSR and ESG
The evidence presented on this page directly supports engagement with funders, corporate social responsibility programmes, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks:
Social Value Act Outcomes
Supporting veteran-owned businesses contributes to social value procurement requirements under the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, demonstrating measurable community benefit.
ESG Social and Workforce Metrics
Investment in veteran entrepreneurship aligns with ESG social criteria, particularly workforce diversity, community investment, and support for underrepresented business owners.
Skills and Regional Growth Agendas
Veteran-owned businesses contribute to local economic development and skills utilisation, supporting government priorities around levelling up and regional growth.
Note: This evidence base underpins all British Veteran Owned funding bids, partnership proposals, and advocacy activities. For enquiries regarding partnerships or funding opportunities, please contact us.