Now in its 33rd year, the biggest awards in the industry, organised by The MA, will return to Battersea Evolution in London on Wednesday 26 March 2025. TV star Claudia Winkleman will be announcing this year’s winners.
Since its inception in 1992, the awards have celebrated the best in the business, from food and drink to brewing, accommodation and sustainability, and this year is no different, with firms from all corners of the sector shortlisted across 16 categories.
In 2020, pub bosses donated more than £16,000 to two charities at the event, hosted by comedian Rob Beckett at Evolution on 4 March and attended by some 1,500 people.
Money was raised for the Licensed Trade Charity and the Only A Pavement Away Pedalling for Pubs initiative, which saw 28 riders from the industry cycle more than 335km across the deserts of Jordan that June.
The 2020 winners included Anglian Country Inns in the Best Premium Food Offer category and Greene King owned Hickory’s in the Best Brand/Concept category, which the brand also claimed the trophy for in 2024.
North Brewing Co., which was acquired by Keystone in February this year, was once again named Best Brewing Pub Company, after securing the title in 2018, while Fuller’s chief executive Simon Emenny picked up Business Leader of the Year.
Amazing teams
Other 2020 winners included Hippo Inns, Inception Group, Stonegate, Brakspear and Shepherd Neame.
Despite marking one of the toughest years on record for the sector pub companies across the UK continued to excel in 2021.
As the nation battled the pandemic and various lockdowns, the Publican Awards recognised those who continued to fly the flag in the face of uncertainty.
Restrictions and lockdowns couldn’t stop the Publican Awards though, which took place virtually, hosted by comedian Ed Gamble.
Greene King was crowned Community Pub Operator of the Year, Tenanted and Leased Pub Company of the Year.
In addition, CEO Nick Mackenzie scooped the title of Business Leader of the Year for being instrumental in steering the business through Covid.
On his win, Mackenzie said at the time: “I never expect these things, of course I’m pleased but a massive shout out to my team. They absolutely were great. Every single one of our employees were great and hopefully they will see the benefit of this award too.”
Other winners included Liberation Group, now Butcombe Group, and Brewhouse & Kitchen while BrewDog were named the Best Sustainable Pub Company.
“The combination of walking away with three awards that we work so passionately hard for on a daily basis is phenomenal.”
Butcombe Group COO Jayson Perfect
Asahi also donated £10 for every attendee of the awards to Only A Pavement Away, raising a total of £6,250.
Speaking at the time, The MA editor Ed Bedington said: “Many companies, having faced the challenges and disasters of 2020 could be forgiven for pulling down the shutters and sitting the crisis out.
“Our finalists, and many others in the sector, did the exact opposite of that, rose to the challenge and did some amazing things.”
Returning to Battersea Evolution on Wednesday 30 March, the 2022 Publican Awards were hosted by former Top Gear front man and Phoenix Nights star Paddy McGuinness, with guests enjoying humour, music and plenty of food and drink in person once again.
Liberation scored a trio of accolades in 2022, taking home the titles of Best Accommodation Operator, Best Managed Pub Company (51+ sites) and Best Premium Food Offer.
Speaking at the time, former Liberation managing director and current Butcombe COO Jayson Perfect said: “It’s absolutely amazing the team has worked extremely hard over the past couple of years.
“The combination of walking away with three awards that we work so passionately hard for on a daily basis is phenomenal.”
Other 2022 winners included Peach Pubs, Rekom UK, Craft Union Pub Company, Arc Inspirations, Punch Pubs, Albion & East and Hall & Woodhouse.
Incredible businesses
UKHospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls was also recognised at the event with the Outstanding Industry Contribution award.
In 2023, comedian Dara O’Brien delighted attendees as host on Wednesday 29 March.
The event was attended by more than 1,400 people and saw four companies take home multiple awards.
BrewDog won two accolades, Best Pub Brand/Concept and Best New Site, the latter of which BrewDog Bars CEO James Brown said the team were “most proud of”.
Nightcap was crowned the Best Late-Night Operator while the businesses CEO, Sarah Willingham, was named Business Leader of the year.
On winning Business Leader of the Year, Willingham said: “I was so surprised, I just didn’t expect it, I thought ‘you’ve not been here long enough’, I was just so happy.”
Greene King also scored a double win in the Best Pub Employer (501+ employees) and Best Tenanted/Leased Pub Company (501+ sites) categories.
“It’s amazing to see the incredible businesses shortlisted”
The MA editor Ed Beddington
South east-based business Heartwood Inns took home two gongs in 2024, Best Managed Pub Company (2-50 sites) and Best Pub Operations Team.
Lounders chair and co-founder Alex Reilley was crowned Business Leader of the Year and Liberation saw success in the Best Managed Pub Company (51+ sites category.
For the third year in a row, Barons Pub Company was recognised for its dedication to its teams and was named Best Pub Employer (up to 500 employees).
Other winners from last year included St Austell Brewery, Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars, Brucan Pubs, Everards Brewery, Punch Pubs, Shepherd Neame and Greene King.
Ahead of this year’s ceremony, Bedington said: “It’s amazing to see the incredible businesses shortlisted across the categories.
“We can’t wait to celebrate and honour the best of the industry with you all at the sector’s biggest party this March.” See the full list of this year’s finalists here.
