NITA winners unveiled by BII
The winners of the BII's training awards have been announced - with the exception of the Licensee trainer of the year award.
Despite listing three finalists the judges were unable to pick a winner from Paul McNiece of Frankie & Bennys, Telford; Helen Wood of the Broad Leys Bar & Restaurant in Aylesbury and Tim Blake of Benson Blakes Bar & Grill, Bury St Edmunds
Head judge Vicky Crossingham said: "Reaching the final stages of the BII NITAs is a great achievement and all of this year's finalists demonstrated some good and very good practice.
"After lengthy discussion, and further review, the judges felt that none had yet achieved their full potential or comprehensively met the very high standard we have set in this category.
"All of our finalists show great potential as "ones to watch" for the future but this year there was no clear winner in this category."
However those who were announced as NITA winners at the BII Award Body's conference in Coventry today include Mitchells & Butlers, Enterprise Inns and Punch Taverns.
Judges will also pick an overall winner which will be announced at the BII Annual Lunch in May.
NITA winners
Licensee induction programme award - sponsored by Barcare from The Bateman Group
Mitchells and Butlers
Innovation in training award - sponsored by Charles Wells Pub Company
Enterprise Inns
Social responsibilities award - sponsored by J D Wetherspoon
Punch Taverns
Best industry training initiative to support professionalism - sponsored by Enterprise Inns
EDU Plus CIC, Banbury
Professional trainer of the year award - sponsored by Greene King Pub Company
After long deliberation, the judges felt that two awards should be made in this category to recognise the different strengths of independent and corporate professional trainers. The two BII NITA winner awards go to:
Independent trainer
David Hawbrook, abv Training, Stone
Corporate Trainer
Caroline Bowes, Hilton Hotels, Leeds
Security training award - sponsored by BIIAB and City & Guilds
Blueprint Training, Edinburgh
