Mahdis Neghabian of the Camden Eye is BII Licensee of the Year 2012

She was given the award today at the BII’s Annual Lunch at the Grosvenor House, London.

The prestigious award celebrates the highest level of excellence within the pub industry.

“Mahdis has shown us how she revived the fortunes of her business by combining innovation, strategic thinking, excellent customer care and a great deal of charm," said chief executive Peter Thomas CBII.

"She has inspired us with her ability to adapt to change, through her determination to always deliver what her customers want, and I am proud to call her the 2012 BII Licensee of the Year – all congratulations to Mahdis, our worthy winner!”

Neghabian beat five other licensees to the top accolade after attending a series of interviews during April. They were:

• Tim Foster & Anthony Pender, the Wiremill, East Grinstead, Surrey
• Chris Kemp FBII, the Cricketers, Hartley Wintney, Hampshire
• Jason Read FBII & James Langford MBII, the Plough Inn, Wrington, Somerset
• Victoria Steadman FBII, the Whitmore Arms, Essex
• John Wyke MBII, the Old Horns Inn, High Bradfield, Sheffield

In September 2010 Neghabian won Best Turnaround Pub for the for the Camden Eye at the Morning Advertiser’s Great British Pub Awards. Thomas congratulated her on the "remarkable and sustained turnaround in performance" at the pub.