BII appoints Mark Robson as chairman: The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has appointed Red Mist Leisure managing director Mark Robson as its new chairman. Robson, who graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2000 with a degree in hotel and catering management, will replace Anthony Pender, subject to ratification by BII members at its annual general meeting next summer. Robson formed Red Mist Leisure with the acquisition of a tied lease at the Half Moon in Charlwood, Surrey. Over the following three years he expanded the business and by the end of 2008 the company had acquired a further three leases on pubs in Surrey. In 2009, at the height of the economic downturn, Red Mist purchased three of its four pubs from Punch and sold the lease of the Half Moon. Since then, Red Mist Leisure has gone on to build a nine-strong portfolio with contracts due to exchange imminently on a tenth site. BII chief executive Mike Clist said: “The BII has been transformed over the past four years under the excellent leadership of Anthony Pender. Mark’s appointment will ensure Anthony’s great work will continue into the future. Red Mist Leisure is the epitome of all the BII stands for, professional standards in excellently run pubs where talented members of staff are able to develop their careers. I look forward to working with Mark.” Robson added: “I am delighted and immensely proud to be appointed as new chairman of the BII, an organisation I have long admired. I look forward to building on the excellent platform Anthony has established over the past four years and steering the BII forward to provide exceptional guidance and support for licensees and staff in the hospitality industry in these challenging times.” Pender said: “It has been a great source of pride to have been involved in the BII’s transformation over the past four years. At times we’ve had to face tough challenges and make some difficult decisions but I can’t fault the commitment of the entire team at Farnborough. I would also like to thank the trustees and hundreds of stakeholders, who have all ensured we have an organisation that can focus on training, professionalism and standards. I believe there is now a platform for some exciting future projects and, in Mark, the BII has the right person to support and steer the organisation.”

BII reveals 2018 NITAs winners: The British Institute of Innkeepers (BII) has revealed the winners of the National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs). The NITAs, held in partnership with CPL Online and organised by Propel, celebrate the best in training excellence and innovation within the licensed industry. First run in 1991, the NITAs were relaunched two year ago. The winners were unveiled at an awards ceremony at Café de Paris in London’s West End. The winners were Best Apprenticeship Programme: Mitchells & Butlers; Best Managed Training Programme (companies under 50 outlets): Coaching Inn Group; Best Managed Training Programme (companies over 50 outlets): Young’s; Best Casual Dining Training Programme: Oakman Inns and Restaurants; Best Training Programme (leased and tenanted): Charles Wells; Professional Trainer of the Year: Gary Richmond, of Mitchells & Butlers; and Licensee Trainer of the Year: Kate Ross, of The Turk’s Head. The Franca Knowles Lifetime Achievement Award was chosen by a panel led by Beds and Bars chief executive and founder Keith Knowles. The award recognises an individual working in the on-licensed retail sector who leads by example and demonstrates training and people are at the core of what they do. This year the award went to JD Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin. BII chief executive Mike Clist said: “The NITAs are a celebration of the most successful individuals and businesses in the licensed retail market today. Our finalists have shown they value, support and champion their people by continuing to invest in and develop their training programmes. It’s vital we recognise, reward and share their successes so we can encourage further innovation in our fantastic industry for years to come. The way they design their training programmes has benefited their businesses from the ground up and had a direct impact on financial performances, growth and staff retention. We congratulate them all.”