Leased and tenanted pub company Punch Taverns has done the double in an industry awards scheme designed to recognise training excellence.

Punch scooped two gongs in the National Innkeeping Training Awards (NITAs), one for ‘Best Area Manager / BDM Development’ and a second for ‘Innovation in Training’.

One of the company’s training providers, Daniel Pettigrew, was also named ‘Professional Trainer of the Year’, while Punch licensee Graham Rowson from the Plungington Tavern in Preston was crowned ‘Licensee Trainer of the Year’ for the second year in succession.

Punch Taverns’ customer services director Francis Patton said he was thrilled with the results.

He said: “The NITAs are the only recognised awards for training within the licensed trade and to win two is a fantastic achievement for our learning and development team.

“We are particularly pleased to receive awards for both licensee training and a development scheme for our own internal staff.  It shows the value we place on our people and the opportunities available for individuals looking to progress in the business.”

The Best Area Manager Development award was presented to Punch for its induction training for newly appointed business relationship managers (BRMs).

Employees undergo an intense three month learning period, working alongside fully trained ‘mentors’ who will regularly review their performance.  Coaching and skills training then continues for up to 12 months.

Punch received the Innovation in Training award for its licensee training course Profit Through Quality.  

The one day scheme is organised in conjunction with leading drinks suppliers and is designed to help publicans improve the overall operational facility of their businesses and deliver the perfect serve to customers every time.

The NITAs are organised annually by professional trade body the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII).  Awards were presented during a prestigious ceremony at the House of Commons.

BII chief executive John McNamara said: “Since their launch in 1991, the NITAs have aimed to reward training excellence within the licensed retail sector.  In all cases, awards go to the entry which exemplifies training excellence and effective use of resources to achieve measurable results.”

Burton (Staffordshire) based Punch Taverns is the UK’s largest operator of leased and tenanted pubs with more than 9,600 outlets and 600 staff.  Punch acquired managed house operator Spirit Group in December 2005.

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