The Caterer & Hotelkeeper awards are now in their 20th year and it's hard to imagine how the hospitality industry's calendar would look without them. Many of the Catey categories that exist today are the same as those that were awarded in 1984, our inaugural year. But the Cateys have always been ready to move with the times, to reflect the changing shape of hospitality. That's why the Pub Industry Award was first introduced: to recognise the contribution pubs are now making to the industry at large.
Previous winners in this category include Tim Martin, founder and chairman of the JD Wetherspoon chain, who has done as much as anybody to redefine the pub sector in recent years, and Six Continents Retail's Tony Hughes, who oversaw the rapid expansion of chains such as Harvester and All Bar One.
Last year's winner, Bob Ivell, chairman and managing director of Scottish & Newcastle Retail, is credited with giving his company national coverage through brands such as Chef & Brewer, Premier Lodge and Bar 38. He now looks after a huge empire: the company manages more than 1,400 pubs and pub-restaurants, with an annual turnover in excess of £900m and has more than 30,000 employees.
Alan Jackson, executive chairman of City Centre Restaurants, and one of last year's judges, said: "Ivell's innovation, creativity and adherence to exemplary standards will ensure that the public continues to visit S&N properties well into the future."
Another judge, the British Institute of Innkeeping's chief executive, John McNamara, admired Ivell's commitment to his staff: "Ivell is a strong believer in people," he said. "He puts his money where his mouth is, especially with training."
And Ivell knows that concentrating on training means looking outside your own organisation: he has invested time and money in the development of young people with the Guild, a company initiative working with Northampton College to train and encourage young chefs.
Judges' criteria
The Pub Industry Award will go to an individual who has been successful in pub retailing through innovation and vision.
* It is open to an individual involved in running a group operation.
* The winner will have demonstrated consistency of product and service, which can be drink- and/or food-related, through achievements in the past year.
* The winner will provide an example of excellence to the pub industry.
This year's winner will be announced at the Catey Awards on Tuesday 1st July.
Previous Winners:
2002 Bob Ivell
2001 Tony Hughes
2000 Tim Martin
1999 Tony Carson
1998 Peter Salussolia
1997 Peter Dickson
1996 John Bright
Sponsored by: Hobart UK
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