The British Institute of Innkeepers (BII) – the industry’s professional body – announced the winners via a live broadcast from its web site. The Judges were impressed by Innpacked’s overall approach to the training undertaken, as well as the “flexibility and accessibility” of that approach.
They also commented that Innpacked showed clear evidence of a well-developed business model that’s attracting demand from a range of public and private sector market groups, both on a local and national basis.
As always, the awards were hotly contested with entrants including restaurant groups, pub companies, breweries, supermarkets, convenience stores, colleges, training companies, professional trainers and individual licensees.
Rigorous examination of training practice
Each of the 41 shortlisted entrants for the 2008 NITAs was assessed by a two-person Judging Panel – one an experienced industry practitioner, the other from an academic background. Typically, Judges are experts in the licensed retail sector and the fields of training and development, and are experienced in the rigorous BII NITA judging process. That process involves a rigorous examination of the entrants’ training practices.
Innpacked will join other category victors to be presented with their award in front of an audience of 1,000 top industry representatives at the BII’s Annual Luncheon (which takes place at The Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane in May).
The NITAs are an important mechanism for raising the standards of training across the licensed retail sector, and are a tool for companies to benchmark the effectiveness of their training against others. All shortlisted entrants receive feedback from the Judges, enabling them to improve their training offering even further in the future.
Before the Annual Luncheon, Judges will also select a winner for the Supreme Award. This is presented to the person or organisation they consider has done the most to promote the benefits of training across the licensed retail sector.
The 2008 NITAs Roll of Honour
Best Licensee Induction Programme (sponsored by The Publican)
- Winner: The Restaurant Group, Borough, London
Licensee Trainer of the Year in Managed and Non-Managed Estates (sponsored by Matthew Clark)
- Winner: Claire Bignell FBII, The Farmers’ Bar, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
- Highly Commended: Sarah Fox, Frankie and Benny’s, Cambridge
Best Development Programme in Managed Estates (sponsored by Enterprise Inns)
- Winner: JD Wetherspoon, Watford
Best Development Programme in Non-Managed Estates (sponsored by Milestone)
- Winner: Punch Taverns, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Social Responsibilities Award (where consumption is on the premises) (sponsored by Charles Wells Pub Company)
- Winner: JD Wetherspoon, Watford
Best Development Programme in Licensed Retail (where consumption is off the premises) (sponsored by BII)
- Winner: CJ Lang and Son, Dundee
- Highly Commended – Highfield.co.uk and Marks & Spencer, Doncaster
Social Responsibilities Award (where consumption is off the premises) (sponsored by BIIAB)
- Winner: Capper & Co, Pontyclun, Mid Glamorgan
- Highly Commended: CJ Lang and Son, Dundee
Best Area Manager/BDM Development Award (sponsored by JD Wetherspoon)
- Winner: Marston’s, Wolverhampton
Professional Trainer of the Year Award (sponsored by Greene King)
- Winner: Morris Lorimer FBII, Edinburgh
- Highly Commended: Peter Fulton FBII, abv Training, Carlisle, Cumbria
Best Training Scheme run by Institutions of Further and Higher Education (run in partnership with the licensed retail industry, and sponsored by BII)
- Winner: JD Wetherspoon in partnership with The Centre for Leisure Retailing, Nottingham Trent University
Door Supervisor Training Award (sponsored by BIIAB and City & Guilds)
- Winner: Innpacked Training, Bournemouth
Everything you need to know about… the BII
The BII is a registered charity and the professional body for the licensed retail sector. It boasts around 15,000 members and 54 corporate patrons, members and supporters. The BII’s mission is to promote high standards of professionalism throughout the licensed retail sector, encourage new entrants into the industry and help them develop their long-term careers.
The BII has achieved ISO 9001:2000, Investors in People and is listed within the ‘one to watch’ category of The Sunday Times ‘Best Companies to Work For’ Survey.
Wholly-owned by the BII, BIIAB is the leading awarding body for the licensed retail sector. The BIIAB is accredited by Ofqual and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). To date, over 1.5 million BIIAB qualifications have been processed.