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 20th November 2025 at Porchester Hall, London, where we will share best practice from teams across the sector and recognise our winners!
Best Training Programmes: Managed & Managed Partnerships
- Claire Dunkling – Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C.
- Ellie George – St Austell Brewery
- Mia Manning – Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. / Lead Your Way
- Sophie Farrell – Punch Pubs and Co.
Best Training Programmes: Individual Operator
- Dimitar Dimitrov – Paris Baguette
- Hendre Barnard – Jim & Tonic Limited
- Kim Rennie – The Barge Inn
- Katie Mannion – Nell’s Pizza
Best Training Programmes: Apprenticeships
- David Everett – Shepherd Neame
- Neil Delahay – The Clink Charity
- Rebecca Marandola – Molson Coors
- James Partington- The NED
Best Training Programmes: Sustainability Award – Company
- Caroline Parker – Avani
- Hendre Barnard – Jim & Tonic Limited
- Ed Robinson – Wells & Co.
Best Training Programmes: Sustainability Award – Individual Site
- Nand Yadav – Ninaya Hospitality Ltd / The White Hart
- Phillip Cutter – The Murderers / Gardeners Arms
- Michael Foxwell – The Old House at Home
Professional Trainer of the Year – Company
- Allan Stevenson – Chemisphere
- Cally Bannon-Smith – Sixty Eight People
- Frazer Grant – Pub & Bar Academy
- Jon Saunders – Crack on Coaching
Professional Trainer of the Year – Individual & Small Multiple
- Hendre Barnard – Jim & Tonic Limited
- Katie Mannion – Nell’s Pizza
Best Recruitment Strategy
- Ceri Radford – Admiral Taverns
- Louise Gallant – Punch Pubs & Co.
Hospitality Apprentice of the Year – Back of House
- Daisy Walton – The Barge Inn / Wadworth
- Luca Duval – INN Cornwall
- Sam Jennings – Shepherd Neame
- Zoe Platt – The Clink Charity
Hospitality Apprentice of the Year – Front of House
- Lauren Hayter – Wadworth
- Megan Kneebone – INN Cornwall
- Sam James Christmas – Fullers
Sophie Maltby – The Tollemache Arms
Hospitality Apprentice of the Year – Operations
- Chris Abnett – Shepherd Neame
- Claire Illman – Shepherd Neame
- Joseph Rook – Molson Coors
- Tom Young – Molson Coors
Wellbeing Award
- Andrea McCarthy – Venners
- Nand Yadav – Ninaya Hospitality Ltd / The White Hart
- Rosalie Hagger – The Beautiful Pubs Collective
- Sophie Farrell – Punch Pubs & Co.
- Will Chew – Anglian Country Inns
