BII NITAs: Top trainers
The winners of the BII Nitas were announced at a prestigious ceremony at the Tower of London in December. The awards aim to recognise and reward training excellence in the trade. Trainers from pubs, pub companies, brewers, retailers and colleges across the country came together at the event, which is supported by The Publican.
John McNamara, BII chief executive, said: "The BII Nitas recognise those people and organisations which create success through training and development.
"Winning a BII Nita is quite simply the ultimate endorsement of training excellence, and in all cases, each BII Nita goes to the entry which exemplifies training excellence and effective use of resources to achieve measurable results."
Licensee Trainer of the Year
In Managed and Non-Managed Estates Sponsored by The Union Pub Company
Winner: Maxine Blake MBII The Cutting Room, Melton Mowbray
Highly Commended: Ann Maher, Rose & Crown, Brockenhurst
After winning her award, Maxine said she was "absolutely chuffed" from a personal point of view, but also recognised how important training was to the industry.
"I'm pleased mainly because training is something that is underrated in the industry," she said. "The Nitas are hugely important because training is one of the things the industry can focus on to help present itself more professionally.
"Winning this award validates what I do and raises the importance of training."
She added that her success was as much down to her team at the Barracuda-owned Cutting Room, as to her individual efforts.
"I think the judges were impressed when they visited us because my staff were ready to serve them straight away and they were trying to sell up on drinks."
Maxine also believes that her approach to training helped her win the award. "I always start off by finding out what training people need, rather than just giving them a generic training schedule," she said. "I tend to tailor my training to the individual, which I think is important."
Supreme Award
Nominated by the BII Nita judging panel in association with The Publican
Winner: St Austell Brewery
Vicky Crossingham, St Austell human resources director, said: "It's absolutely marvellous to be recognised in this way. We are a relatively small regional brewer and we were up against some of the biggest companies in the supplier category, such as Diageo and Britvic, so we are ecstatic.
"Our training is open to everyone in the country, so it really puts us on the map."
Vicky believes part of the company's success is down to its radical approach to training.
"We have been pretty innovative in the way that we adapted the basic BII training techniques to our estate," she said. "We also have a training pub, which gives people practical experience, as well as offering theoretical training. We also offer every type of training, including wines and spirits.
"It's nice to be recognised by your peer group, because it means you really are the best.
"Hopefully now even more people will come and do training with us as a result of winning these awards. The kudos is great."
Social Responsibilities Award
Where Consumption is Off the Premises Sponsored by the BII
Winner: The Co-operative Group
Best Licensee Induction Programme
In Managed Estates Sponsored by Punch Taverns
Winner: SA Brain & Co
Highly Commended: Greene King Pub Company
Door Supervisor Training Award
Sponsored by BIIAB and City & Guilds
Winner: Coleg Ceredigion
Best Area Manager
BDM Development Award Sponsored by JD Wetherspoon
Winner: Greene King Pub Partners
Best Development Programme
In Licensed Retail Where Consumption is Off the Premises Sponsored by the BII
Winner: Midlands Co-operative Society
Professional Trainer of the Year Award
Sponsored by Greene King Pub Company
Winner: Peter Fulton, abv Training
Highly Commended: Sarah Cavanagh, Punch Taverns
Innovation in Training Award
Sponsored by S&N Pub Enterprises
Winner: The Co-operative Group
Best Licensee Induction Programme
In Non-Managed Estates Sponsored by Charles Wells
Winner: Punch Taverns
Best Training Scheme
Run by Colleges of Further Education in Partnership with the Licensed Retail Industry
The BII Nita judging panel decided not to make an award in this category as this is a new award. However, all three finalists had entries of a very promising and high standard. Judges will be reviewing the category definition for 2007.
Social Responsibilities Award
Where Consumption is On the Premises Sponsored by the BII
Winner: Innpacked
Best Development Programme
In Non-Managed Estates Sponsored by Milestone Licensed Trade Accountants
Winner: Punch Taverns
Highly Commended: Greene King Pub Partners
Supplier Training Award
Sponsored by The Publican
Winner: St Austell Brewery
Best Development Programme
In Managed Estates Sponsored by Enterprise Inns
Winner: Greene King Pub Company
