Meet our Judges!

Scroll down to view our amazing judges for LOYA23, with several years experience covering all areas in the industry,
they will be part of the judging panels on Monday 19th June 2023.

Katie Jenkins

Katie is the Marketing Director for KAM.

KAM is a research and insight agency providing expertise in the hospitality sector. KAM founder, Katy Moses is also a Trustee of the BII.

Mike Clist

Mike is the former CEO and now a Non-Executive Director of the BII.

He was previously head of the tenanted estate for Fuller's and brings a lifetime of experience to our judging panels.

Matt Todd

Matt is a CAMRA award winning operator.

He is a key BII member, running the brilliant Wonston Arms near Winchester.

Lee Woolley

Lee is Director of Learning and Organisation Development at Stonegate.

He is a NITAs award alumni, winning the HR Manager of the Year award in 2019.

Nick & Amanda Hemming

Nick & Amanda are our reigning Licensee of the Year Award winners.

They won the award together in 2022,  with the beautiful Heron Inn just outside Truro.

Jody Bennett

Jody is the People Director for Brewhouse & Kitchen.

She is newly bringing her expertise to our Licensee of the Year judging panel in 2023.

Andrew Bush

Andrew is the People and Transformation Officer at Greene King.

He brings his passion for people and their development to our judging panel this year.

Chris & Jason Black

Chris & Jason took home the Licensee of the Year Award in 2021

They won the award together for their incredible pub The Pityme Inn in Cornwall.

Tim Smith

Tim Smith is a partner at Shaw Gibbs.

Tim has many years of experience, and has worked with the BII and licensees to help them maximise their success. 

Sally Whelan

Sally is Founder and Director of HGEM.

HGEM is an award winning hospitality platform helping businesses continuously improve their customer experience.

Sue Allen

Sue has a wealth of industry experience and was the Commercial & Membership Director of the BII until 2019.

She now works as an independent trainer and business coach for the licensed trade and is part of the Head Judging team for LOYA alongside Ashley McCarthy.

Ashley McCarthy

Ashley is an award winning chef, operator and master of all things chocolate.

He runs Ye Old Sun Inn with his wife and BII Trustee, Kelly. As a previous LOYA winner with Kelly in 2013, Ashley is now part of our Head Judging team alongside Sue Allen.