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
