The awards identify and celebrate outstanding individuals running multi-site businesses within both the managed and leased or franchised sectors of the hospitality industry.
Last year, Emma Deabill from YO! Sushi and Yvonne Fraser from Greene King were crowned Area Manager and Business Development Manager of the Year, respectively.
Other past winners and finalists have gone on to senior roles in some of the sector’s leading companies, for example, current chief executive of Stonegate, Simon Longbottom, who said: “I’m proud to have won this award at an early stage in my career and can testify to the fact they provide a rigorous assessment of your own skills and competencies.
"The awards shine a light on a cohort of individuals who are driving the performance and reputation of the industry and I would encourage people to submit their nominations.”
Founder of the awards Nick Bish added: “The challenging entry papers take a day or two to complete and should be submitted by mid-June at the latest, so it’s worth nominating now so that individuals have time to show what they know and what they can do.
"Companies should look closely at their teams, spot their own champions and those who will benefit from being involved.”
Nominations can be made online at www.opsawards.org.uk with downloadable entry papers to be submitted any time before 20 June.
Twenty finalists will be revealed in late June and treated to a comprehensive three-day personal development masterclass, with each spending a day in trade with one of the mentor judges.
The finals judging day on 15 October involves interviews from panels of industry experts designed to test the finalists’ knowledge, performance and potential.
The winners will then be revealed at a gala ceremony that same evening at London’s Pullman Hotel.