More than 300 operators, industry leaders and training professionals attended this year’s ceremony at Porchester Hall, London, last week (20 November), which ran alongside the British Institute of Innkeeping’s (BII) People Conference.
The awards highlight individuals, pub companies and training teams driving standards in recruitment, apprenticeships, sustainability, wellbeing and professional development across the sector.
2025 NITA winners
- Best Training Programme - Managed and Managed Partnerships: Fuller’s Lead Your Way
- Best Training Programme - Individual Operator: Kim Rennie, The Barge Inn
- Best Training Programme – Apprenticeships: Shepherd Neame
- Sustainability Award – Company: Wells & Co
- Sustainability Award – Individual Site: Michael Foxwell, The Old House at Home
- Training Professional of the Year – Company: Frazer Grant, Pub & Bar Academy
- Professional Trainer of the Year – Individual & Small Multiple: Katie Mannion, Nell’s Pizza
- Best Recruitment Strategy: Admiral Taverns
- Hospitality Apprentice of the Year – Back of House: Daisy Walton, The Barge Inn (Wadworth)
- Hospitality Apprentice of the Year – Front of House: Sophie Maltby, The Tollemache Arms
- Hospitality Apprentice of the Year – Operations: Claire Illman, Shepherd Neame
- Wellbeing Award: Punch Pubs & Co
This year also saw the judges recognise three Workforce Apprentice Heroes, singled out for exceptional resilience, spirit and determination, reflecting the strength of talent coming through sector apprenticeship schemes.
Franca Knowles Award
One of the evening’s most significant moments was the presentation of the Franca Knowles Live Your Life Award. Chosen by previous winners and chaired by Keith Knowles OBE, the award honours individuals who embody Franca’s legacy of positivity and commitment to people development.
The 2025 award went to James Nye, managing director of Anglian Country Inns.
‘An inspiring and rewarding sector’
BII CEO Steve Alton praised this year’s winners for setting new benchmarks in hospitality training.
“The NITAs recognise the incredible people and organisations who make our sector such an inspiring and rewarding place to work,” Alton said.
“Each of our winners has shown an exceptional commitment to nurturing their teams, supporting wellbeing, and driving innovation across their businesses. Their dedication and passion help ensure our pubs and hospitality venues continue to sit at the heart of every community.”
Alton added that evenings like the NITAs highlight “the amazing things people in our sector do every single day for their guests, teams and communities”.