Managing director of Operations for Churchill Services, Louisa Clarke, has won the award for Business Leader of the Year – Large Business at the 2022 British Ex-Forces Business Awards.
This comes after Louisa was appointed to the Veterans Advisory Board, and Churchill was awarded the gold award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme 2022. Louisa’s background in the Royal Air Force led her to the world of facilities management in 2006, before joining Churchill in 2011.
Louisa was shortlisted for the business leader award in previous years, however the progression she has made since then to become managing director of operations is what has helped her achieve this accolade, as well as her extensive work with ex-forces personnel. She was the first female, operational director in Churchill’s history, and is now recognised as an industry leading figure, advocating for women in leadership, as well as supporting veterans during their transition to civilian life.
Louisa helped to set up partnerships with multiple organisations including JobOppo, the ex-military job help community. She also founded a buddy scheme within Churchill’s own recruitment, whereby ex-forces applicants can buddy with a member of Churchill staff from the same background, giving them the opportunity to ask questions about roles within the business, and their transition to civilian life, without any obligations.
Louisa Clarke, managing director for operations, Churchill Group has said: “It was a very special moment winning the award for Business Leader of the Year. The achievement not only supports my accomplishments, but also demonstrates the skills, expertise, and value veterans can bring to civilian professions. It’s extremely rewarding for me to be able to provide support to others in the same position that I was once in myself, and being recognised for those efforts is extremely fulfilling”
James Bradley, chief operating officer, Churchill Group has said: “We are so pleased for Louisa for winning the business leader of the year award. She is a true inspiration for many within Churchill and the FM Sector. Her strong leadership and support have strengthened the foundations of our business and set us on a path to achieve even greater things in the future. Congratulations Louisa.”
