A University of Chester professor has been shortlisted for a Lifetime Achievement award in the British Ex-Forces in Business awards.

Professor of nursing and military mental Health, Dr Alan Finnegan also serves as the director of the Westminster Centre for Research in Veterans at the University.

These awards are reputed for being the world's largest celebration of veterans in second careers.

The winner of the award will be officially announced on June 27 in London.

Joining the University and establishing the Centre in 2016 put Mr Finnegan on the path to impressive achievements.

He has played the principal role in around 40 research studies, amassing more than £10m worth of projects.

This includes notable awards from the NHS, Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, Forces in Mind Trust, the Royal British Legion, and Business.

Mr Finnegan is also serving as the chair of Armed Forces Network (Northwest England), chair of Cheshire Armed Forces Community Partnership, and a notable member of the NHSE Armed Forces Clinical Reference Group and the Office for Veterans Affairs Academic Advisory Board.

Back in his army days, he served the British Army for nearly 30 years with five years spent on operational tours.

The awards aim to offer a significant platform to recognise and showcase the achievements of ex-military personnel, particularly in their second careers.

This step not only presents them as role models for service leavers but also credits the employers who support the current and former members of the British Armed Forces.

In response to his shortlisting, Professor Finnegan said: "It is a huge honour to be recognised in this way.

"I would like to thank everyone who works alongside me at the Westminster Centre for Research in Veterans at the University for their dedication to their work in helping to improve the lives of veterans across the country."

Likewise, Ben Rossi, founder of the British Ex-Forces in Business Awards, said: "The incredible achievements documented through the 900-plus nominations we received for this year’s Awards are simply staggering.

"The fact they have been enabled by skills and values gained in the British Armed Forces should leave employers in no doubt of the value veterans offer.

"We are proud of the role these Awards play in showcasing and championing the veteran talent pool.

"The Ex-Forces in Business Awards evidence very clearly that supporting the transition of servicemen and women into meaningful second careers is not just the right thing to do, or a tick in a CSR box – it’s a tried and tested route to acquiring exceptional talent who will add enormous value to your business.

"Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and thank you for serving as such tremendous role models for service leavers."