Pub sector's top area managers unveiled
Helen Cook of Novus Leisure and Jim Owthwaite of Punch Taverns have been named Area Manager and Business Development Manager of the Year.
The pair scooped the awards at the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) Operations Managers Awards 2009.
A third award, Rising Star, in the category of Area Manager, was made to Amber Wood of Novus Leisure, in recognition of the qualities she displayed throughout the awards process.
The winners were announced by ALMR chief executive, Nick Bish, in front of an audience of over 100 ALMR members, their guests and senior industry executives at at Birmingham's NEC Arena.
The two winners impressed the judges with their enthusiasm and passion for the licensed retail sector, which coupled with their wealth of experience and depth of knowledge, proved them to be worthy of the prestigious accolades.
"Every year, the standard of entries is exceptional and the judging process becomes tougher as the quality of finalists and winners gets higher," Bish said.
"This year's entrants confirmed this and the judges reported the highest ever standard of entry papers.
"The Operations Managers Awards are not simply a competition, they provide an opportunity for real personal development. The finalists have undergone a rigorous judging process, which includes a challenging entry paper, psychometric testing followed by a day in the field being shadowed by one of our judges and finally, endured tough questioning from three panels of industry leaders."
In addition, the Association was once again delighted that Ashridge Management College hosted the prestigious three day MasterClass, at Barcelo Billesley Manor Hotel in Alcester.
Bish added: "The Operations Managers Awards shine a light on the summit of achievement but we do need to attend to the performance at the lower levels and that is why I urge the industry to look even more closely at how we can define the role of the ops managers (managed or leased), refine the skills of those doing the job and offer more clearly some stepping stones of recognition and qualification to those engaged in this wonderful challenging business.
"Helen and Jim are deserved winners of these prestigious awards, having shown outstanding management abilities and exceptional standards of professionalism throughout. I am certain they are both destined for leadership roles within the industry."
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