Last week, at the annual Leavers to Leaders (LTL) Awards held during the LTL Summit in Tidworth, Wiltshire, England, a remarkable retired British Army leader claimed one of the event’s highest honors. Lester Francois, a 24-year veteran of the force who climbed from humble beginnings to the rank of Warrant Officer Class One, was officially named Veteran of the Year, capping a decades-long career defined by service, excellence, and selfless contribution.
Born in La Fargue Choiseul and raised in La Ressource, Vieux Fort on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, Francois moved to the United Kingdom in 2002 after being recruited into the British Army. He began his service within the Royal Logistic Corps as a supply specialist, and through consistent determination, sharp professionalism, standout leadership, and an unwavering dedication to his duties, he steadily rose through the ranks. Statistics from his era show only roughly 25 percent of recruits achieve the top rank of Warrant Officer Class One, making Francois’ ascent all the more notable. Over his 24-year career, he earned 10 service medals and multiple commendations in recognition of his outstanding work, and completed deployments across 10 countries and regions, including Germany, Cyprus, Nigeria, Canada, Iraq, Afghanistan, The Gambia, and Belgium. He also served a tour as a United Nations peacekeeper in Cyprus, an experience that broadened his global perspective.
The LTL Awards were created to honor extraordinary contributions from service leavers, veterans, and members of the military community across the United Kingdom and the entire Commonwealth. This year’s ceremony gathered nominees from nine different Commonwealth nations, including Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, and Mauritius, shining a spotlight on the often-unrecognized work of Commonwealth veterans in British service.
Francois admitted he never expected the recognition, telling local Saint Lucian outlet St. Lucia Times: “I was quite surprised when I heard that I was nominated for the award of veteran of the year and even more surprised to have actually won the award. As a Saint Lucian, it was quite an honour, knowing that I came from a small island, started at the bottom and moved to the top.”
Looking back on his decades in uniform, Francois said military service shaped him profoundly, forging his personal character, building unshakable discipline, motivating him to pursue constant growth, and expanding his understanding of the world. Even before his retirement, and increasingly since he left active service, Francois has dedicated himself to lifting up other members of the military community. He prioritizes mentoring younger officers, working to build their confidence and help them navigate their own career paths. “Encouraging younger officers and helping them build their self-confidence is something I love to do,” he said.
His community work extends far beyond mentoring young service members. Affectionately known by the nickname “Various Boss,” Francois founded Various Boss Entertainment, an initiative designed to connect veterans through social and community-focused events. What started as small, casual gatherings – domino nights and barbecues for fellow veterans – quickly grew after a suggestion from his wife. “My wife used to say to me, ‘Some of what you are doing attracts the grown-ups; why not do something to bring families together?’ That’s where the family events started,” explained the father of three. Today, the organization hosts large brunches and family fun days that bring together veterans, their families, and active younger service members, creating space for intergenerational connection, shared learning, and relaxed enjoyment.
Peers and friends describe Francois as a humble, wise leader whose positive impact on his community stretches far beyond his military career. He is widely celebrated as a role model for younger generations, embodying core values of discipline, resilience, service, inclusivity, and the importance of giving back to one’s community. His willingness to share hard-won experience and offer thoughtful guidance has left a lasting impression on everyone who has worked with him, making him a clear and beloved choice for the 2026 award.
Now in retirement, Francois keeps a full schedule, and is finally able to enjoy leisure travel without the uncertainty of military deployments. He has already enjoyed trips to this year’s carnivals in St. Vincent and his native Saint Lucia, as well as a vacation to Mexico, and he plans to return to his home island in the near future – a place he says will always hold his heart.