Aspire Defence Highly Commended at the Partnerships Awards 2025

Aspire Defence has been awarded Highly Commended at the Partnerships Awards 2025 in recognition of its commitment to sustainability, meaningful social contribution and exemplary governance in its management of Project Allenby/Connaught (PAC).

Finishing as runner-up in the SPV Management Company category, the judges highlighted the way Aspire has embedded environmental responsibility across its operations, empowers staff to volunteer in local community roles, and maintains a trusted, collaborative partnership with the Army and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

CEO Allan Thomson said: “This award reflects the values that drive our work every day and the strength of the partnerships that underpin everything we do.

We’re proud to be recognised among industry leaders and remain committed to delivering long-term, positive impact through our projects and people.”

The Partnerships Awards recognise the innovative and transformative work taking place across public and private sector partnerships in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Australasia.

Running since 2006, PAC has transformed the estate across Aldershot and the Salisbury Plain and the lived experience for one third of the British Army that is home to a significant proportion of its combat power.

Now just over halfway through the 35-year agreement, Aspire Defence Ltd (ADL), as SPV, has established an outstanding relationship with the Army and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and managed a transformation in how the Army lives and works.

Maintaining 15,000 single en-suite bedrooms, 1.25 million m² of serviced space, and delivering more than 180,000 meals a month, all by more than 6 million man-hours of safe working, PAC is a huge and complex operation by any comparator.

Supported by 980 KBR Aspire Defence staff, 1,900 Sodexo employees, and many more in the local supply chain, this operation has consistently delivered to the high standard the nation expects for its serving soldiers.

With a multi-million pound lifecycle programme that ensures the estate continues to develop and improve, ADL, as SPV, delivers a successful PFI contract.

A few highlights from ADL’s operations that lead to its Highly Commended position include:

· The lifecycle programme is helping to reduce carbon footprint by improving building fabric, installing more efficient heating systems, installing LED lighting and reducing water leakage;
· Support for nine Army sports including netball, football, boxing, fencing, cricket and cross-country running, enabling our soldiers to experience the benefits associated with sporting endeavour;
· Army heritage is also important with the project hosting the Royal Artillery and Royal Army Physical Training Corps (RAPTC) Museums, as well as funding a programme of gun restoration for the Gunners at Larkhill;
· The RAPTC is a small museum in the historical setting of Fox Lines in Aldershot and has benefited from ADL funding a display cabinet and outreach activities;
· Support for local schools includes funding a SEND garden and outdoor play facilities;
· Staff are encouraged to volunteer and roles they fulfil include a parish councillor, a school governor, a charity trustee, a charity fundraiser and a helpline volunteer.