Finalists unveiled for BII and Poppleston Allen Jeremy Allen Award

The accolade, established last October in memory of the company’s founding partner who passed away suddenly in 2011, recognises excellence in training and staff development in the licensed trade.

Cheryl Hickman, owner of the Olde Bull Inn, Barton Mills impressed judges by buying the freehold of a failing pub with her business partners and transforming it into a profitable operation by focusing on people, training and an innovative ‘super hero’ scheme.

“The low level of staff turnover and the way she motivates her team have helped turn this business into a success,” former BII CEO Peter Thomas said.

Tom Manville, student union bar manager at the University of Winchester was credited for “brilliant” working methods, taking staff through all “aspects of responsibility, age, alcohol and supervision” and “developing training in and away from the business for all new entrants.”

Carl Sautereau, head of customer services at Luminar Leisure, was also commended for his expertise in staff training. “Carl…who holds a corporate position with 2,000 staff has taken training to a new level, using methods that fit and work best for his staff and customers,” Thomas said. “He trains by age group in an appropriate way, using e-learning and developing a company culture that supports his late-night business and produces excellent results.”

Jonathan Smith, managing partner at Poppleston Allen, added: “Our three finalists have each gone over and above the norm in providing truly original training and consequently have seen positive results in their businesses.”

The winner will be announced at the BII annual Lunch on 14 May at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.