Former BII Licensee of the Year set for "fresh challenge" after leaving his Berkshire pub

Davison, who picked up the accolade in 2009, was a Wadworth tenant at the Sun in the Wood, in Ashmore Green, Berkshire, and also works as a pub industry consultant.

After winning a number of awards for their business, Davison and his wife, Lauren, have taken the decision to move on, leaving Wadworth to run the pub as a managed outlet.

“We felt it was time for a fresh challenge and a fresh opportunity,” said Davison.

“We get on well with Wadworth but at the end of the day each party wants something different. The costs of running the business have crept up and we were getting punished for doing well really.

“We have brought the pub lots of accolades and success, but we felt that after 16 and a half years, we couldn’t really take it any further.”

Davison revealed that he does have “something else lined up” but was unable to comment further. However, he added that he was looking to develop his pub customer loyalty service, Pub Marketing Circle, which he set up in July 2011 with Lauren to help other licensees maximise their sales.

A spokesperson for Wadworth said: “Given the location of the pub and the success that has been made of the business by Mr Davison, a former BII licensee of the Year, it was deemed appropriate to add this distinctive pub to our managed portfolio. The team will continue to run the pub with the least possible disruption to trade.”