Members of The ROSE Network will often see references to British Veteran Owned (BVO) alongside our own activities. Given the overlap, it is worth explaining clearly what each organisation does, how they relate to one another, and — importantly — how they remain entirely independent.
Two Independent Organisations
This is the essential point, and it bears stating plainly: British Veteran Owned and The ROSE Network are two completely separate and independent organisations. They have different purposes, different memberships, and different governance structures. Neither owns, funds, nor directs the other. No money changes hands between them.
The reason they collaborate is straightforward. Stephen James, who chairs The ROSE Network on behalf of the Intelligence Corps Association, also chairs British Veteran Owned. Where the missions of both organisations overlap — supporting veterans in employment and enterprise — it makes practical sense to work together rather than duplicate effort. This is an efficient use of shared resources, nothing more.
The correct way to describe this relationship is that the two organisations work in collaboration with each other. They are not linked by ownership, funding, or any formal structural relationship beyond the shared chairmanship.
What British Veteran Owned Does
BVO exists to champion veteran-owned businesses across the United Kingdom. Its core mission is to provide visibility and credibility to businesses founded or owned by military veterans, making it easier for procurement teams, consumers, and other businesses to identify and engage with them.
BVO's activities include:
- Verification and accreditation — BVO verifies that businesses are genuinely veteran-owned, providing a mark of authenticity that members can display.
- Visibility — Through its directory and promotional activities, BVO helps veteran-owned businesses get found by potential customers and procurement teams.
- Procurement advocacy — BVO works to increase the representation of veteran-owned businesses in public and private sector supply chains, advocating for procurement policies that recognise veteran entrepreneurship.
- Community — BVO connects veteran business owners with one another, creating opportunities for collaboration, referrals, and peer support.
BVO serves veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces, not solely the Intelligence Corps. Its scope is national and cross-service.
What The ROSE Network Does
The ROSE Network — the ICA Resettlement and Support for Employment Network — serves the Intelligence Corps family specifically. Its purpose is to support Regulars, Reserves, Veterans, and their immediate families with employment opportunities, careers guidance, and professional networking.
The Network operates through three pillars:
- Employment opportunities — Connecting members with roles passed to the Network by its extensive civilian professional community.
- Careers information — Practical guidance on transition, including CV production, interview preparation, and training recommendations.
- The Virtual Employment Network (VEN) — An initiative that anonymously connects Service Leavers with civilian professionals currently working in their target field, enabling direct mentoring and advice.
The ROSE Network is part of the Intelligence Corps Association (ICA), a registered charity. Its focus is squarely on individuals and their career journeys.
How They Complement Each Other
Although independent, the two organisations naturally complement each other because they address different aspects of the same challenge: helping veterans succeed in the civilian economy.
For the veteran starting a business
A member of the Corps Family who decides to start a business might engage with both organisations, but for different reasons. The ROSE Network can connect them with mentors and advisors from within the intelligence community who have built businesses themselves. BVO can then provide the accreditation, visibility, and procurement access that helps that business find customers.
For the veteran seeking employment
Someone looking for employment rather than entrepreneurship will primarily engage with The ROSE Network — through the VEN, the Forums, or direct introductions from the professional community. If they later move into business ownership, BVO becomes relevant at that point.
For enterprises looking to engage
Organisations that want to recruit from the intelligence community engage with The ROSE Network's enterprise programme. Those looking to diversify their supply chain by working with veteran-owned businesses engage with BVO. Some do both — and the shared chairmanship makes it easier for them to navigate both ecosystems without confusion.
Practical Examples
To make this concrete, here are some scenarios that illustrate how the collaboration works in practice:
- A ROSE Forum event might include a brief presentation from BVO about the support available to veterans considering business ownership. BVO is a guest contributor, not a co-host. The event remains a ROSE Network activity.
- A veteran who has built a successful consultancy might be a member of both organisations — listed in BVO's directory as a verified veteran-owned business, and active in The ROSE Network as a mentor to Service Leavers exploring similar career paths.
- A corporate partner interested in both recruiting Int Corps talent and diversifying procurement might be introduced to both organisations through the Chairman, but would engage with each separately for their distinct purposes.
- Insights content — such as articles on entrepreneurship or enterprise engagement — may reference both organisations where relevant, always making the distinction between them clear.
Engaging with Each Organisation
If you want to engage with either or both organisations, here is how:
The ROSE Network
The ROSE Network is open to the Intelligence Corps family — Regulars, Reserves, Veterans, and their immediate families. You can engage through:
- Attending ROSE Forums and monthly networking events
- Registering for the Virtual Employment Network via the Transition page
- Joining the professional community as a Networker through the Network
- Contacting us directly via Headquarters ICA
British Veteran Owned
BVO is open to veteran-owned businesses from across all services. You can engage through:
- Visiting britishveteranowned.co.uk
- Applying for verification as a veteran-owned business
- Browsing the directory to find and support veteran-owned businesses
A Note on Transparency
We believe in being straightforward about how these organisations relate. The shared chairmanship is a matter of public record and is disclosed precisely because transparency matters. There is no hidden agenda — simply a practical recognition that two organisations with complementary missions can achieve more by collaborating than by operating in isolation.
The ROSE Network and British Veteran Owned are independent organisations that collaborate because it makes sense to do so. No money changes hands. No authority is shared. The collaboration exists to serve veterans more effectively — nothing more.
If you have any questions about the relationship between the two organisations, or about how to engage with either, please do not hesitate to get in touch.