The 25 inductees into the Young Hall of Fame and the Apprentice Awards winners were announced at a parliamentary reception with Matthew Hancock MP, Minister for Skills, at the House of Commons, including Charlotte Bonser, deputy general manager at Spirit pub the Polite Vicar, who was named Intermediate Apprentice of the Year.
Mahdis Neghabian, manager, of the Camden Eye and 2012 BII Licensee of the Year Award was inducted in the front of house category.
Whitbread was named Employer of the Year – Large (more than 250 employees), with McDonald’s highly commended.
Mitchells & Butlers work with Babcock International Group was named Partnership of the Year.
Suzy Jackson, executive director of the Hospitality Guild, said that the awards and Young Hall of Fame concept recognise and celebrate young people’s achievements within the hospitality industry.
“The Young Hall of Fame recognises rising stars and demonstrates the professionalism and exciting career opportunities hospitality offers. By pulling all their success into one showcase, you see the size of the hospitality sector. With new joiners each year, I truly believe that it will motivate further generations into our industry and increase the public’s awareness of and pride in the professionalism that young people deliver across the diverse hospitality industry.
“The introduction of the Hospitality Guild Apprenticeship Awards also supports this aim. These awards, which are being delivered in partnership with People 1st, promote the industry as a great place to work, and recognise the value apprenticeships offer and the support apprentices receive from employers, providers and mentors to meet their career ambitions.”