More than 1,100 people attended the glittering ceremony, the biggest event in the pub industry calendar, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane and hosted by comedian and TV star Rob Brydon.
The Publican Awards, in association with Sky, recognise the achievements of top pub companies across 18 categories.
Other winners on the night included Everards, Amber Taverns, Shepherd Neame and Stonegate (full list below).
John Longden picked up the Outstanding Industry Achievement award for his decade of work as chief executive of Pub is the Hub, the not-for-profit organisation dedicated to offering advice and support to licensees, rural pubs and community services.
The Publican's Morning Advertiser's group editor Rob Willock said: “The Publican Awards judging is an extensive and rigorous process which really puts businesses under scrutiny. In these challenging trading times it is fantastic to see our award winners continuing to grow their businesses and bring innovations to their customers.
“All our winners are driving their businesses forward with energy and passion. Congratulations to them all.”
The rigorous judging process included scores of headquarter site visits by senior members of the PMA's editorial team, mystery site visits to finalists’ outlets, conducted by Hospitality Gem, and research interviews across two categories by market researchers him!
The final stage of judging involved a full day of panel interviews where senior representatives from finalist companies were quizzed by a team of industry experts, City analysts, journalists, and industry body chiefs.
Winners picture gallery available here
Publican Awards 2013 winners and highly commended:
Best Community Pub Operator
Winner: Amber Taverns
Best Tenanted & Leased Pub Company (under 200 sites)
Winner: Everards
Best Tenanted/Leased Pub Company (200+ sites)
Winner: Admiral Taverns
Highly commended: Fuller’s
Best Pub Brand
Winner: Flaming Grill, Spirit
Best Food Offer (2 - 50 sites)
Winner: Anglian Country Inns
Highly commended: Whiting & Hammond
Best Food Offer (51+ sites)
Winner: Brains
Highly commended: Marstons Inns & Taverns
Best Managed Pub Company (2 - 50 sites)
Winner: Shepherd Neame
Best Managed Pub Company (51+ sites)
Winner: Brains
Highly commended: Spirit
Best New Site
Winner: Oast House, Manchester - New World Pub Company
Highly commended: Sports Bar & Grill, Waterloo
Best Drinks Offer
Winner: G1 Group
Highly commended: Bitters n Twisted
Best Late Night Operator
Winner: Novus
Highly commended: Intertain
Best Pub Employer (2 - 50 sites)
Winner: Beds & Bars
Highly commended: G1 Group
Best Pub Employer (51+ sites)
Winner: Stonegate
Highly commended: Spirit
Best Accommodation Operator
Winner: Thwaites Inns of Character
Best Business Initiative
Winner: Be at One (Appihour smartphone feature)
Best Industry Initiative
Winner: Pub is the Hub (Local Community Services Champions)
Best Microbrewing Pub Company
Winner: Ossett Brewery
Outstanding Industry Achievement
Winner: John Longden, Pub is the Hub