NITA award winners announced
Some 300 people from across the sector came together for the awards, which were preceded by the People Conference which heard contribution from industry leaders. Among these were speakers from Greene King, New World Trading Company, Beers and Peers and KAM.
The evening culminated in the presentation of the Franca Knowles Live Your Life Award, a recognition for an individual who leads by example, and demonstrates people are at the core of everything they do.
Outstanding industry contribution
The award was presented by founder and chief executive of Beds and Bars Keith Knowles to the Yummy Pub Company co-founder Anthony Pender for his outstanding work over many years supporting the wider industry.
Pender said he was “genuinely surprised and humbled” to be recognised with an accolade, especially as the award had been decided by previous winners he deeply respected and looked up to.
The award is in memory of the late Franca Knowles, who herself was a multiple winner at the NITAs, being a leader in people development and training.
All about people
Franca took pleasure in seeing young team members grow and thrive, and placed great value on investing in people, recognising the benefits for both the employer, employee and wider industry.
Knowles said: “On a personal note the Franca Knowles award and the NITAs are all about our people and I am proud to have been involved in re-establishing the NITAs as the industry awards for recognising exceptional innovation in people development.
“We are all very aware of the current challenges for our sector, so to see the innovation, collaboration and sharing of ideas at the BII People Conference and NITAs makes me extremely positive about the future ahead.”
The winners on the night were:
Staff Wellbeing – Individual Site Award
Caviar and Chips – Gemma Carter-Morris
Staff Wellbeing – Company Award
Beds and Bars
HR Manager of the Year Award
Jemelle Bish – Stonegate
Training Professional of the Year Award
Natalya Watson – Beer with Nat
Best Training Programme: Apprenticeships Award
Stonegate
Best Training Programme: Individual Operator
Tollemache Arms – Joe Buckley
Best Training Programme: Managed under 50
Dishoom
Best Training Programme: Managed over 50
Star Pubs and Bars
Hospitality Apprentice of the Year – Company Award
Natalija Folmer – Brewhouse and Kitchen
Hospitality Apprentice of the Year – Individual Site Award
Grace Bailey-Williams – The New Inn
Franca Knowles Live Your Life Award
Anthony Pender