The LTL Summit: Belong, Beyond, Boundaries at Tidworth
On 26 September 2026, Leavers to Leaders (LTL) hosted the Commonwealth Community Summit at Tidworth Civic Centre, bringing together serving personnel, veterans, families, and community representatives from across the Commonwealth who have served, or continue to serve, in the British Armed Forces.
The primary aim of the Summit was to strengthen connections between Commonwealth communities now established within the United Kingdom. While each community faces its own unique circumstances and challenges, many of these issues are often difficult to address in isolation. By coming together under a shared purpose and collective voice, participants identified common concerns, exchanged experiences, built stronger networks, and explored meaningful solutions. This vision sits at the heart of Operation Belonging, a key initiative delivered through Leavers2Leaders.
The theme of the Summit, “Belong Beyond Boundaries,” reflected the importance of looking beyond nationality, culture, rank, profession, and individual circumstances to recognise the common values, experiences, and aspirations that unite Commonwealth communities.
The event featured five distinguished keynote speakers from a broad range of sectors, including government, diplomatic representation, faith leadership, education, the Armed Forces community, and His Majesty’s representation. Each speaker brought a wealth of experience and insight, offering valuable perspectives on leadership, service, inclusion, and community cohesion.
A particularly inspiring message was delivered by the Fiji High Commission, which perfectly captured the spirit of the Summit:
“We do not simply belong within our individual communities; through our service, experiences, and contributions, we are part of something much greater.“
This powerful message resonated throughout the day and reinforced the importance of collaboration and mutual support. The Summit provided a valuable platform for participants to connect, share experiences, and recognise that the challenges faced by Commonwealth serving personnel, veterans, and their families are often best addressed collectively rather than individually.
Ultimately, the Leavers to Leaders Commonwealth Community Summit demonstrated the positive impact that can be achieved when diverse communities unite with a common purpose. It was a significant and memorable occasion that further strengthened relationships, built new bridges across communities, and ensured that the voices and contributions of the Commonwealth Armed Forces community continue to be recognised and celebrated.
We’re honoured to welcome a set of dignitaries whose presence reflects the breadth of this ecosystem’s reach:
- Calvin Bailey MBE MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Minister for Veterans and People, MOD
- Rev Clive Foster MBE, Windrush Commissioner (Online)
- Polly Miller-Perkins, Armed Forces Commissioner
- Martin Levermore MBE DL
- H.E. Jovilisi Suveinakama, High Commissioner of Fiji
- H.E J.M. Brereton Horne, High Commissioner of St Vincent & the Grenadines (Excused)
- Cllr Carole Webb, Mayor of Tidworth
- Cllr Laura Knight, Mayor of Amesbury
- Cllr Linda Lashbrook, Mayor of Test Valley
Their attendance signals something beyond ceremony: government, Windrush heritage, and Commonwealth diplomacy standing together at the same platform launch. That’s not incidental — it’s the point. Commonwealth Bridge sits at the intersection of veteran credibility and Commonwealth trade, and this Summit makes that intersection visible.
Q & A Panel with the Minister of Veterans & People, the Armed Forces Commissioner & Home Office
This year’s Summit theme, “Belonging Beyond Boundaries,” focused not only on community and inclusion but also on the transition from military service into leadership, business, public service, and wider community roles.
One of the most engaging elements of the programme was the Question and Answer (Q&A) Panel, which brought together senior representatives from the Minister for Veterans and People, the Home Office, and the Armed Forces Commissioner. Hearing directly from these influential stakeholders added significant value to the event and gave attendees a platform to raise matters important to the Commonwealth Armed Forces community.
The Q&A format proved highly effective in encouraging participation and open dialogue. It allowed attendees to seek clarification, gain insight into key policies and initiatives, and actively contribute to discussions. The session’s direct format enabled speakers to address specific concerns, provide valuable information, and foster greater understanding among participants.
The panel also highlighted the importance of engagement between decision-makers and the communities they serve. Attendees appreciated the opportunity to ask questions about issues affecting serving personnel, veterans, and their families, particularly around transition, immigration, welfare, and community integration.
As with any live discussion, there were some limitations. Several questions, particularly those directed to the Home Office representative, were complex and required detailed responses that could not always be fully explored within the time available. Additionally, the breadth of topics raised meant that some discussions could only be addressed at a high level.
Nevertheless, the Q&A session was a valuable and interactive feature of the Summit. It promoted transparency, encouraged constructive dialogue, and reinforced the importance of continued engagement between policymakers, community leaders, and members of the Armed Forces community. Despite the complexity of some issues, the session gave attendees greater awareness and understanding while helping shape future conversations and collaborative solutions.
LTL Awards
The Leavers to Leaders Awards 2026 was a major highlight of the 5-in-1 Summit and brought the theme “Belong Beyond Boundaries” to life through recognition, diversity, and shared achievement.
The Awards celebrated outstanding individuals and organisations from across the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, entrepreneurship, and community impact. Award categories included Entrepreneur of the Year, Veteran of the Year, Military Spouse of the Year, Service Personnel of the Year, Commonwealth Supporter of the Year, Community Award of the Year, and the prestigious Lord Lieutenant Award.
What made the Awards particularly meaningful was the remarkable diversity of the finalists. The Awards recognised individuals from different nationalities, cultures, professional backgrounds, and stages of their military and civilian journeys. Despite these differences, they shared values of service, resilience, commitment, leadership, and a desire to make a positive difference in others’ lives.
The Awards also served as a powerful reminder that leadership extends well beyond military service. Veterans continue to make meaningful contributions as entrepreneurs, business leaders, mentors, and community advocates, while serving personnel, military spouses, and civilian supporters play equally vital roles in strengthening both the Armed Forces and wider Commonwealth communities.
The presence of finalists representing a variety of Commonwealth nations further reinforced the Summit’s central message that belonging should never be limited by nationality, profession, uniform, or background. Instead, it is built through shared experiences, common values, and mutual support.
More than simply a presentation of awards, the LTL Awards celebrated people, purpose, and potential. They recognised those who continue to lead, serve, inspire, and create lasting connections across communities. “Belong Beyond Boundaries: Different journeys, shared values, one community.”
More details below
Signing of the Armed Forces Covenant: Commonwealth Bridge
The signing of the Armed Forces Covenant during the Summit marked a significant milestone in strengthening relationships among the Armed Forces, government organisations, businesses, charities, and local communities.
The Covenant is founded on the principle that members of the Armed Forces community, including serving personnel, veterans, and their families, should be treated fairly and not be disadvantaged because of their service. By signing the Covenant, organisations publicly reaffirm their commitment to recognising and supporting the Armed Forces community’s contribution.
The ceremony gave participating organisations an important opportunity to demonstrate their support through practical action. It highlighted a shared commitment to considering the unique needs of serving personnel, veterans, and their families when developing policies, delivering services, and creating employment and development opportunities.
The event also emphasised the value of strong civil-military relationships in promoting understanding, cooperation, and mutual respect. The Armed Forces contribute significantly to national security, emergency response, community resilience, and support during crises. In return, strong backing from civilian institutions can meaningfully and durably affect the wellbeing, opportunities, and success of those who serve.
The 2026 Summit therefore provided more than a ceremonial platform. It facilitated meaningful dialogue, encouraged partnership working, and reinforced a sense of shared responsibility across sectors. The signing of the Covenant symbolised a practical commitment to ensuring that the Armed Forces community remains connected to, valued by, and supported within wider society.
Through continued collaboration, communication, and implementation of the Covenant’s principles, both civilian and military organisations can contribute to a stronger, more inclusive, and mutually supportive future for all members of the Armed Forces community.
Buffet: Tastes from the Commonwealth Nations
The “Tastes from the Commonwealth Nations” buffet offered a vibrant, memorable celebration of the diversity, heritage, and cultural richness that connect communities across the Commonwealth. More than a catering provision, the buffet showed how food can bring people together, spark conversation, and strengthen a sense of belonging.
A particularly noteworthy feature was that businesses owned and operated by serving personnel and veterans delivered the catering. This not only highlighted the entrepreneurial talent within the Armed Forces community but also aligned strongly with the Summit’s commitment to recognising service, enterprise, and community contribution.
Three catering businesses contributed to the culinary experience:
- Samosa From Home, representing the rich traditions and flavours of Indian cuisine.
- Puff Puff, a famous African side dish
- La Cuisine Kreole, showcasing the distinctive tastes and multicultural influences of Mauritius and the Caribbean.
- Kinsman Catering, presenting authentic Fijian and wider Pacific Island cuisine.
- Callaloo Soup, a traditional, nutrient-rich green vegetable soup made from dasheen leaves in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Together, these businesses created an impressive fusion of Commonwealth flavours, illustrating the influence of migration, history, and cultural exchange across generations. The variety of dishes offered attendees an opportunity to experience and appreciate the diverse culinary traditions represented throughout the Commonwealth.
While the buffet successfully showcased a broad range of cultures, one area for future development was greater representation from African nations. Given the significant contribution and diversity of African Commonwealth communities, adding African-inspired cuisine would further enrich the experience and more fully reflect the Commonwealth’s cultural landscape.
Looking ahead, incorporating African flavours alongside Indian, Caribbean, Mauritian, and Pacific influences would create an even more inclusive culinary journey and better represent the Commonwealth’s diverse heritage.
Overall, the buffet was a resounding success, transforming food into a celebration of culture, service, entrepreneurship, and community. It gave attendees a practical, enjoyable demonstration of the Summit’s central message: belonging is strengthened when people come together, share experiences, and celebrate the diversity that unites them.
