· Beer Champion 2013 – Frederic Robinson
· Pub Champion 2013 – Everards
· Heart of the Community – Carlsberg UK
· Chairman’s Award – Sajid Javid MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury
The winners of the British Beer & Pub Association industry annual awards were announced at the BBPA’s annual dinner at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge last night. Frederic Robinson, Everards and Carlsberg UK have scooped the prizes – and a special Chairman’s Award was given to a remarkable Government Minister, Sajid Javid MP, who has championed the sector with the first cut in beer duty since the 1950s.
Beer Champion 2013 (Sponsored by Vianet)
Winner – Frederic Robinson: This category winner had something all the judges were incredibly impressed by – a true dedication to beer and brewing. With investment in their brewing operations, accompanied by a £2 million visitor and educational centre, the judges were extremely impressed. Added to this was Frederic Robinson’s desire to attract new customers to beer, with brews designed for food matching and a beer brewed jointly with none other than Iron Maiden that has taken the world by storm. For all their efforts to invest, educate and change perceptions, they are worthy winners.
Highly commended – Marston’s: The company constantly challenges itself to innovate. It not only offer new ideas and new beers – it also campaigns for beer as a category.
Nominees: Close Brewery Rentals, Daniel Thwaites, Frederic Robinsons, Marston’s and Molson Coors
Pub Champion 2013 (sponsored by BT Sport)
Winners – Everards: The judges felt that this company did something really special. It took on the challenge of not only reopening closed pubs, but also supporting emerging small brewers to develop and expand. It is a company dedicated to pubs far beyond its own brand and invests in pub people at every opportunity.
Highly commended – Star Pubs & Bars. The company demonstrated a true passion for pubs and their publicans – from investments not only financial, but in skills, support and innovation.
Nominees: Daniel Thwaites, Everards, Marston’s, Punch Taverns and Star Pubs & Bars
Heart of the Community (Sponsored by Coca Cola Enterprises)
Winners – Carlsberg UK: Through an ambitious social responsibility programme, their ‘Engage with Society’ scheme, Carlsberg have looked at all aspects of their work. Through environmental, safety, charity and backing local businesses, they have already demonstrated real success. The judges recognized that cultural change in a large operation is hard and that this programme is set to continue until 2020.
Highly commended – Timothy Taylor: This is a family brewer that has demonstrated a long term commitment to its community. When it invests Timothy Taylor supports local businesses and uses local suppliers. Its charitable ethos is to be admired, with over ten years support for the local Sue Ryder Hospice.
Nominees: Carlsberg UK, Daniel Thwaites, Heineken UK, Hobsons Brewery and Timothy Taylor
Chairman’s Award:
Winner – Sajid Javid MP
As a new minister for the industry, Sajid Javid has proved engaged and insightful, keen to listen to the sector’s economic case. He has been there to back us for growth, for championing pubs and communities. He has made the case to the Chancellor for the first cut in beer duty since the 1950s.
BBPA Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds comments:
“It has been a momentous year for the beer and pub industry, and a tough one for our judges. I want to thank all our entries, which have doubled in number this year. I am absolutely delighted for them all, and especially pleased that the work of the Government, in its historic decision to cut the tax burden for this great British product, has been rightly recognised with the award for Sajid Javid.”
Ends
For further information please contact:
David Wilson, Director of Public Affairs: 020 7627 9151/ 07557 436 033
Gareth Barrett, Public Affairs Manager Tel: (020) 7627 9154
Notes to editors:
Background to the BBPA Awards:
Beer Champion 2013
This award looks to highlight companies which have successfully sought to promote, improve and celebrate beer as a category. The judges will consider the full range of deliverables which are worthy of being deemed a beer champion – from high quality advertising to improved social responsibility, environmental awareness to commercial innovation. Whether it is pioneering a new method of dispense or an innovative product design, or crafting a memorable advertising or marketing campaign – we are looking for that magic dust that sets you apart from the pack in 2013. The winner will be the company which has used their resources most effectively to be a champion of beer.
Pub Champion 2013
Britain’s pubs are one of the nation’s greatest assets, and this award seeks to reward companies that have worked to make sure they remain a national treasure for future generations. The judges will be looking for examples of effective investment in pubs, whether that is in physical improvements to the pub estate, engagement in the social responsibility agenda, or investment in people. Judges will take particular interest in the innovative use of social media and other marketing resources, the development of your food offer or strong strategic leadership in all aspects of your business.
Heart of the Community Award
The judges are looking for a company which – through their own corporate initiatives or leading-edge partnerships has demonstrated a proven commitment to their local community. Entries could include initiatives to promote social responsibility, engagement with social, community, charitable and voluntary groups, alongside support for regional/national business development, environmental challenges overcome or evidence of how companies have demonstrated they are intrinsic to their local community. Judges will be looking to celebrate companies that have exercised leadership in helping to shape the ‘big society’.
The Chairman’s Award
While the other three awards will be given to companies, the Chairman’s award will be given to an individual and we will not be seeking nominations – this will be awarded by the BBPA Board, which will be looking for someone who has made a telling contribution to the industry over the long term – and deserves to be recognised by the wider industry. There may be more than one winner in this category, and no shortlist.
BBPA Annual Dinner
The BBPA Annual Dinner brings together business leaders in the brewing and pub sector, key industry stakeholders, as well as Parliamentarians and other important opinion formers in the media and beyond. This year the dinner and awards will be hosted by John Sergeant.
For further details, and information please go to www.beerandpub.com/
For sponsorship inquiries for the BBPA Annual Dinner 2014, please contact Fireball:
Tel: 020 8704 4141
Email: bbpa@fireball.co.uk
The British Beer & Pub Association is the UK’s leading organisation representing the brewing and pub sector. Its members account for 96 per cent of the beer brewed in the UK and around half of Britain’s 50,000 pubs.
Neil Williams
Head of Media
British Beer & Pub Association
020 7627 9156
07974 249 779