BII announces National Innovation in Training Awards finalists for 2026
The BII is delighted to announce the finalists for this year’s National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs). The training, development and care of teams is central to the success of our sector, and the NITAs recognise those individuals and companies who go above and beyond in this space.
All of the finalists can be seen below or on the BII website – we can’t wait to meet all of them later this month, as our judges dig deeper into their submissions and find this year’s winners.
The NITA’s Award Ceremony and People Conference will be held on 19th November 2026 at Porchester Hall, London, where we will share best practice from teams across the sector and recognise our winners!
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
Notes to the editor:
About the British Institute of Innkeeping:
The BII is the leading independent licensee support organisation for individuals working in hospitality, with over 13,500 individual members running premises across the UK - predominantly tenanted, leased, managed and freehold pubs. The organisation provides expert helplines, online business support, and guidance on key industry issues, and savings on a range of supply deals for its members, keeping pubs thriving in the heart of every community.
For further information please contact Molly Davis via molly.davis@bii.org.
Third-party news items are published as received for informational purposes. Publication does not imply endorsement by the Guild. Please use the contact details within the post for any enquiries.
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