We were delighted to welcome around 160 guests aboard the Sunborn Yacht on Tuesday 9th September for a special Team Forces reception, generously sponsored by Atos. As day one of DSEI came to a close, we gathered to celebrate the athletes from the recent Invictus Games in Vancouver and to look forward to Birmingham 2027.
Blessed with glorious sunshine, guests enjoyed drinks on deck before moving inside for a short programme of speeches. Maj Gen Lamont Kirkland, CEO of Team Forces, opened the evening, then handed over to Maj Gen Lizzie Faithfull-Davies, Chair of Team Forces, for a warm welcome. We then heard from Joel Smith, Head of Public Sector Atos, the official IT partner for the Vancouver Games, who shared more about their ongoing support.
As well as shining a light on the power of sport in recovery, the reception brought together key figures from across the military and defence industry – creating space to connect, collaborate, and build relationships in an informal setting.
We were then inspired by three incredible Invictus athletes — James Rogers, Steven Arnold, and Steve Hooper — who spoke with honesty about their journeys through recovery and the role of sport.
Helen Helliwell, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, spoke about the path to Birmingham 2027. Finally, Richard Smith, Deputy CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, closed the evening by reflecting on the legacy of the Games and their enduring impact.
A huge thank you to Atos and to everyone who joined us to celebrate the power of sport to inspire, unite, and transform lives. The evening truly reflected Team Forces’ core purpose: using sport and challenge to support recovery, build confidence, and strengthen lives across the Armed Forces community.
