Judges will now dig deeper into the finalist’s submissions to find the 2026 winners, which will be announced next month.
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The awards recognise individuals and companies who go above and beyond with training, development and care of teams, which the BII described as “central to the success” of hospitality.
Fantastic opportunity
Spanning 11 categories, accolades including Training Professional of the Year and Hospitality Apprentice of the Year are up for grabs.
Last year’s winners included Admiral Taverns, Sophie Maltby from the Tollemache Arms in Northampton, Punch Pubs & Co. and Fuller’s.
BII CEO Steve Alton told The Morning Advertiser (The MA): “The NITAs always give us a fantastic opportunity to find special programmes and people, and this year that is especially true.
Incredible talent
“We have two new awards for 2026, Rising Star and Pathway to Success, and have received an incredible number of entries for our Hospitality Apprentice of the Year categories.
“I am hugely looking forward to welcoming all of our finalists to the ceremony next month and celebrating the incredible talent in our sector. ”
The NITA’s Award Ceremony will be held on Thursday 19 November at Porchester Hall, London.
NITA’s 2026 finalists in full:
Training Professional of the Year – Company
- David Everett – Shepherd Neame
- Isabelle Masters – Robinsons Brewery
- Lee Hall – Butcombe Brewing
Training Professional of the Year – Individual
- Annabel Smith – Beer Belle
- Dan Sullivan – Yoorcast
- Leigh Davies – Pub Coach
Pathway to Success – Company
- Candid
- Candid X Lenny
- Molson Coors
- Sysco
Pathway to Success – Individual
- Angela Uren – Coach & Horses
- Charlotte Foy – The White Horse
Sustainability Award
- Mark Holden – The Victoria Inn
- Michael & Julia Foxwell – The Old House at Home
- Kevin Coles – Sysco Brakes
Wellbeing Award
- Laurence Bowes – Bowes Hospitality
- Nand Ydav – The White Hart
- Angela Uren – Coach & Horses
Hospitality Apprentice of the Year - Front of House
- Megan Kneebone – Inn Cornwall
- Josh West - Butcombe
- Hope Baker - Wadworth
- Chloe Dillnutt – Inn Cornwall
- Korben Paynter – Fuller’s
Hospitality Apprentice of the Year - Back of House
- Alfie Durey – The Spotted Dog
- Joshua Lane – Shepherd Neame
- Nikita Tarasenko – Shepherd Neame
- Nelly Bennett – Fuller’s
Hospitality Apprentice of the Year – Operations
- Samantha Harris – Greene King
- Flo Matthews - Wadworth
- Mia Jones – Molson Coors
- Jane Biggerstaff – Fuller’s
Rising Star - Pub Team Member
- Chloe Matravers – The Flying Fish
- Jack Stevenson – Inn Cornwall
- Kaitlyn Povah – Country Village Inns
- Leah Barnett – Country Village Inns
Rising Star – Operations
- Dan Sullivan - Yoorcast
- Tom Smith – Shepherd Neame
- Shannon Harding – The Woolpack
- Oscar Howard – Molson Coors
