Nottingham Hospitality Association Awards Celebrate Hospitality Heroes
The cream of Nottingham hospitality industry came together last night (Thursday 24th March), to celebrate its hospitality heroes at the Nottingham Hospitality Association (NHA) Awards at Crowne Plaza, Nottingham.
The superheroes themed event, hosted by Ade Andrews, AKA Robin Hood, celebrated the very best of those who work behind the scenes in the city and surrounding region’s hospitality industry.
This was the first hospitality awards since the start of the pandemic, and many of the categories recognised excellence for colleagues working in the industry during the peak of Covid. The awards also celebrated colleagues who turned their hospitality skills for community work or supporting vaccination centres whilst furloughed during the pandemic.
Nottingham Hospitality Association (NHA) represents hotels and venues across the Nottinghamshire region. The membership-led, not-for-profit organisation works with its members to raise awareness about issues affecting the hospitality industry, as well as working with partner organisations to attract major events, business and leisure visitors to the region.
Richard Johal, Chair of NHA said: “What a delight to be back with a full-throttle awards event where the Supermen and Wonderwomen theme recognised that not all superheroes wear capes. We celebrated and applauded hospitality colleagues who had gone above and beyond during the pandemic to keep the lights on in our hotels and venues in what has been a particularly difficult time for the industry.
“At almost the two-year anniversary of the first UK lockdown the NHA Hospitality Awards were fitting tribute to the wealth of talent, hard work, spirit and resilience of the hospitality sector in our region.”
The awards celebrated past Crowne Plaza GM, David Clements when he was given an award in recognition of his outstanding Contribution to Hospitality in Nottingham. Vice Chair, Tom Waldron-Lynch presented the award which recognised Mr Clements’ contribution as one of the principal founders of the Nottingham Hospitality Association and was recognised as a leader and mentor for many who followed in his footsteps to make a career in Nottingham’s hospitality industry.
The Top Team accolade, sponsored by Nottingham BID went to Thoresby Hall Hotel. A new category Best Approach to Resilience, sponsored by Tramlink went to joint winners, Emily Rattray, Hilton Nottingham and Ellis Dunkley of Park Plaza Nottingham, in recognition of the work carried out by hoteliers during extraordinary circumstances throughout the pandemic. Michael Green, Orchard Hotel / EMCC won the Rising Star award, sponsored by Bonner & Hindley with Becky Mithcell, Jurys Inn Nottingham receiving a brand-new Sprit of Nottingham Award.
Mr Johal said: “It is time we changed the narrative and misconceptions of the hospitality industry away from long-hours and low-pay to the reality that we all know and love, of an industry full of opportunity.
“We need to raise the profile and reality of a thriving industry that provides a great place to begin a career, which, for many, provides a fast-track vocation from a junior entry-level position to deputy or hotel general manager in a relatively short space of time. The awards were a wonderful reminder of that as we celebrated the fantastic talent we have and celebrated the exceptional colleagues already working in the industry in the Nottingham region.”
The glamourous Ballroom was a fitting backdrop to a night of celebration, here’s a full list of the winners and sponsors:
NHA Awards 2022 Winners
Contribution to Hospitality in Nottingham
David Clements
Best Approach to Resilience – sponsored by Tramlink
Joint Winners
Emily Rattray, Hilton Nottingham & Ellis Dunkley, Park Plaza Nottingham
Second
Jacinta Statham, Jurys Inn Nottingham
Highly Commended
Ryan Pears, St James Hotel
Customer Service Back of House – sponsored by Tramlink
Winner
Ann Jackson, Orchard Hotel / EMCC
Highly Commended
Chris Livera, Jurys Inn Nottingham
Customer Service Front of House – Sponsored by Molson Coors
Winner
Ding Yu, Orchard Hotel / EMCC
Highly Commended
Michael Shoesmith, Lace Market Hotel & Bethany Tongue, Jurys Inn Nottingham
Unsung Hero – Sponsored by Marketing Nottingham
Winner
Paul Kidder, Crowne Plaza Nottingham
Highly Commended
Stuart Wood, Motorpoint Arena
Rising Star – Sponsored by Bonner & Hindley
Winner
Miles Green, Orchard Hotel /EMCC
Second
Jamie Dodds, Motorpoint Arena
Spirit of Nottingham – Sponsored by 7 Colours
Becky Mitchell, Jurys Inn, Nottingham
Top Team – Sponsored by Nottingham BID
Winner
Hotel Team, Thoresby Hall Hotel
Second
Reception & Housekeeping Teams, Harts Hotel
Third
Livingwell Team, Hilton
Highly Commended
Housekeeping Team, Orchard Hotel / EMCC