Meet the Publican Awards nominees: Best Pub Employer (500+ employees)

Beds & Bars​

The operator behind Belushi's and Interpub was a finalist in the best employer category at the 2016 Publican Awards and the group will be hoping to go one better at March's ceremony. The company prides itself on its Footsteps training programme; this is a 10-step scheme available to all employees that sets out the pathway to a management position.

New World Trading Company (NWTC)​

NWTC was successful in the Best Pub Employer category at the 2016 Publican awards and will be looking to defend its title this year. At the time, editor of The Morning Advertiser​, Ed Bedington, said: "This is a business that really puts a massive amount of emphasis into recruiting and retaining its people." The company will hope that having launched its employee engagement app, Tribes​, in 2016, it will be in for more success.

Oakman Inns & Restaurants​

South England operator, Oakman Inns, has been named in The Sunday Times'​ 100 Best Companies To Work For for its strong pedigree on staff retention and development. The company has, in recent years, launched its e-learning Oakmanology scheme; this has been described by Jill Scatchard, head of HR for the company, as: "A simple mix that brings knowledge and talent together to create craft champions in our business. Whether that be the craft of the kitchen, the craft of the beer, the craft of the mixologist, the craft of service excellence, the craft of the barista or the craft of creating beautiful hotel rooms."

Stonegate Pub Company​

Stonegate is one of the companies leading the way at this year's awards as a finalist in six categories. In the Best Pub Employer category, it is another company that will hope to go one better after being a finalist at the 2016 awards. The operator behind the likes of Slug & Lettuce treated some of the graduates of its Accelerator programme to a trip to the House of Commons​ last year to celebrate 100 employees completing the scheme.

• For more information on The Publican Awards, visit its dedicated website​.​​