Big Business, Bigger Impact: Supporting Veteran Entrepreneurs

Bringing together big business and small enterprise is a powerful way to create opportunities, drive innovation and build stronger communities. That was the focus of a recent meeting of the Big Business Supporting Small Business (BBSSB) Steering Group, which we were proud to host at 30 Euston Square, London.

The BBSSB initiative connects major organisations with smaller businesses through collaboration, mentorship, and supply chain opportunities, helping to create sustainable growth and a more inclusive business landscape.

At the latest Steering Group meeting, corporate leaders, policymakers, and veteran-led entrepreneurs came together to explore how businesses can better support the Armed Forces community while strengthening opportunities for veteran-owned enterprises.

Guests were treated to a selection of locally sourced food and wine prepared by our team, providing the perfect setting for productive conversations and valuable networking.

Joining the roundtable discussion was Tara Henry, WSH Head of Procurement, alongside Nigel Seaman of Combat2Coffee, one of the veteran-owned SMEs within our supply chain.

Real change happens when businesses of all sizes come together, and our three big takeaways from the discussion were:

Improve access to supply chain and procurement opportunities – by simplifying the process and making upcoming opportunities more visible to SMEs. Small businesses often struggle to access large corporate contracts despite having the capability to deliver.
Provide mentorship, coaching and peer support – via formal mentorship programmes, guidance on navigating corporate environments and growth opportunities, and peer-to-peer networking groups. Finance alone is not enough; confidence, business navigation skills and access to experienced networks are equally important for long-term success
Support cash flow through prompt payment practices – minimising administrative barriers to invoicing and reducing payment delays. Many small firms continue to face cash-flow pressures and a cautious growth environment. Prompt payment is a practical action that can have an immediate positive impact on business sustainability.

Through stronger connections and greater access to opportunities, BBsSB is helping veteran-owned businesses grow and thrive. By bringing big and small businesses together, we’re creating space for fresh thinking, shared learning, and meaningful impact. We’re excited to keep the conversation going and build even more partnerships that support inclusive growth and lasting success.