In partnership with X-Forces Enterprise, the UK’s leading provider of business support for the Armed Forces community, this event is designed to equip service leavers, veterans, and leaders at all levels with the connections, tools, and mindset needed to thrive in civilian careers or self-employment.
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ILW26: Military vs Civilian, Learning the language of Networking
#ThePowerOfYourNetwork
ILW26: Military vs Civilian, Learning the language of Networking
Part of International Leadership Week 2026
A collaborative webinar & panel discussion with X-Forces Enterprise
Transitioning from military service into civilian leadership, business, or entrepreneurship can be both exciting and daunting. ILW26: Military vs Civilian brings together inspiring leaders, veterans, and expert voices for a powerful, practical session on how the right networks can transform your confidence, career trajectory, and leadership impact.
In partnership with X-Forces Enterprise
Who should attend?
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Service leavers, veterans and reservists
- Military partners and family members
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Leaders at all career stages
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Anyone navigating career transition
What you’ll gain
Real insight, real confidence, real connections:
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Why networks matter professionally and personally
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How to build a strong network from scratch after leaving service
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Practical ways to avoid isolation in new civilian roles
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Understanding the difference between military and civilian networking cultures
Practical takeaways
You'll leave with clear, practical tools you can use straight away:
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A personal networking action plan you can start using immediately
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A simple framework for mapping your current network and identifying key gaps
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Practical guidance on approaching mentors and sponsors with confidence
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LinkedIn and in-person networking tips to help you build authentic, professional connections
This is more than a webinar, it’s a chance to hear real transition stories, learn from experienced leaders, and connect with people who understand the challenges of moving into civilian leadership and entrepreneurship. You’ll gain insight, confidence, and a clearer sense of how to build a support network that truly powers your next chapter.
Meet the friendly faces & guest speakers
Rachel Mullings
IoL Membership Manager
Ren Kapur MBE
Social Entrepreneur
Becca Meadows
Founder, She Thrives®
With a strong background in membership, Rachel is passionate about building thriving membership communities and making your journey with us as smooth as possible. As a counsellor in her spare time, Rachel is particularly enthusiastic about The IoL’s focus on self-awareness through the MyLeadership tool.
In 2013, Ren founded X-Forces Enterprise (XFE), the UK's premier organisation for enterprise and start-up skills in the wider military community. She has held a lifelong passion for the Armed Forces and, in 2017, was appointed a Lt Col. in the Army Reserves.
Ren’s passion to support equality through learning and providing opportunities has meant that she has been an advisor to Home Office, BEIS and the Cabinet Office. Other projects include supporting Syrian Refugees, Women and Girls in Business and Reducing the Reoffending rates. Ren has also championed policy changes and has four successes under her belt.
In 2018, Ren and Team formally took over the management of Soldiering On Awards which have since grown into a leading brand whose main aims are to Inspire, Connect and Elevate the talent from the Armed Forces Community. The Awards serve to recorgnise the outstanding achievements of those who have serves their country, and the people and groups who work together within and alongside the Armed Forces Community.
A social entrepreneur, Ren has harnessed her experience to enable individuals and communities to support themselves and thrive through enterprise. In doing so she has brought together corporate, government, and charity stakeholders at the very highest levels.
Becca supports high-performing women and the organisations they work in to build sustainable and resilient leadership, by addressing the connection between stress physiology, nervous system regulation, women’s health and leadership. With 15 years experience as a Royal Engineer in the British Army she has also co-founded the Foundry; a community providing connection, leadership and business support to female founders and business owners in the Cotswolds.
Sara Smalley
Co-Founder, The Foundry
Darrell McLennan Fordyce
Founder, FEED Leadership Consulting
Sara runs Venture Coaching, a leadership and career development practice that helps individuals, teams and organisations think more clearly and perform at their best. Coaching gives leaders and professionals something rare: the space to think, grow, and lead with confidence. And when leaders grow, their teams (and organisations) feel the difference. Sara's career started out in the Army, learning how to lead in busy, high-pressure environments and how to bring the best out of very different teams. She is co-founder of the Foundry.
Darrell McLennan Fordyce is the founder of FEED Leadership Consulting and is a passionate advocate for making leadership development a foundational part of every career journey - especially for those just starting out - so that high-performance and human-centred leadership becomes a shared standard, not a privilege.
With a career spanning the military, corporate and sporting worlds, Darrell brings a unique mix of experience, energy and empathy to the individuals and organisations he supports.
Before founding FEED, Darrell spent 12 years as a British Army officer, where he developed his leadership foundations both on operations and as a specialist instructor. He went on to hold senior roles in global organisations including telecoms giant Orange, international marketing group WPP and the global US sports league, the NBA. He has also led fast-growth start-ups in the consumer and finance sectors and delivered high-profile projects around the world, including Camel Trophy in Mongolia, the BT Global Challenge and America’s Cup in Bermuda.
As a Fellow of The Institute of Leadership, qualified coach, NLP practitioner and Associate of the Compassionate Leadership Academy, Darrell brings his commercial and leadership experience to design coaching and development programmes for clients and organisations from a range of sectors, such as The Professional Cricketers Association, HCA Healthcare and West Sussex NHS Trust to sports teams, senior executives and emerging leaders.
Rachel Mullings
IoL Membership Manager
With a strong background in membership, Rachel is passionate about building thriving membership communities and making your journey with us as smooth as possible. As a counsellor in her spare time, Rachel is particularly enthusiastic about The IoL’s focus on self-awareness through the MyLeadership tool.
Ren Kapur MBE
Social Entrepreneur
In 2013, Ren founded X-Forces Enterprise (XFE), the UK's premier organisation for enterprise and start-up skills in the wider military community. She has held a lifelong passion for the Armed Forces and, in 2017, was appointed a Lt Col. in the Army Reserves.
Ren’s passion to support equality through learning and providing opportunities has meant that she has been an advisor to Home Office, BEIS and the Cabinet Office. Other projects include supporting Syrian Refugees, Women and Girls in Business and Reducing the Reoffending rates. Ren has also championed policy changes and has four successes under her belt.
In 2018, Ren and Team formally took over the management of Soldiering On Awards which have since grown into a leading brand whose main aims are to Inspire, Connect and Elevate the talent from the Armed Forces Community. The Awards serve to recorgnise the outstanding achievements of those who have serves their country, and the people and groups who work together within and alongside the Armed Forces Community.
A social entrepreneur, Ren has harnessed her experience to enable individuals and communities to support themselves and thrive through enterprise. In doing so she has brought together corporate, government, and charity stakeholders at the very highest levels.
Becca Meadows
Founder, She Thrives®
Becca supports high-performing women and the organisations they work in to build sustainable and resilient leadership, by addressing the connection between stress physiology, nervous system regulation, women’s health and leadership. With 15 years experience as a Royal Engineer in the British Army she has also co-founded the Foundry; a community providing connection, leadership and business support to female founders and business owners in the Cotswolds.
Sara Smalley
Co-Founder, The Foundry
Sara runs Venture Coaching, a leadership and career development practice that helps individuals, teams and organisations think more clearly and perform at their best. Coaching gives leaders and professionals something rare: the space to think, grow, and lead with confidence. And when leaders grow, their teams (and organisations) feel the difference. Sara's career started out in the Army, learning how to lead in busy, high-pressure environments and how to bring the best out of very different teams. She is co-founder of the Foundry.
Darrell McLennan Fordyce
Founder, FEED Leadership Consulting
Darrell McLennan Fordyce is the founder of FEED Leadership Consulting and is a passionate advocate for making leadership development a foundational part of every career journey - especially for those just starting out - so that high-performance and human-centred leadership becomes a shared standard, not a privilege.
With a career spanning the military, corporate and sporting worlds, Darrell brings a unique mix of experience, energy and empathy to the individuals and organisations he supports.
Before founding FEED, Darrell spent 12 years as a British Army officer, where he developed his leadership foundations both on operations and as a specialist instructor. He went on to hold senior roles in global organisations including telecoms giant Orange, international marketing group WPP and the global US sports league, the NBA. He has also led fast-growth start-ups in the consumer and finance sectors and delivered high-profile projects around the world, including Camel Trophy in Mongolia, the BT Global Challenge and America’s Cup in Bermuda.
As a Fellow of The Institute of Leadership, qualified coach, NLP practitioner and Associate of the Compassionate Leadership Academy, Darrell brings his commercial and leadership experience to design coaching and development programmes for clients and organisations from a range of sectors, such as The Professional Cricketers Association, HCA Healthcare and West Sussex NHS Trust to sports teams, senior executives and emerging leaders.