Burton based pub company Punch Taverns has clinched two category wins in the industry’s top training awards.

Punch claimed ‘Best Development Programme in Non-Managed Estates’ and the ‘Best Area Manager/Business Development Manager Development’ titles in the annual National Innkeeping Training Awards (NITAs), organised by the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII).

In addition to winning two categories, Punch was also a finalist in the award for Best Licensee Induction Programme – Non-Managed Estates.

Commenting on Punch’s unique eX! Factor licensee development programme, Professor Conrad Lashley, chairman of the NITA judging panel, said: “The judges were most impressed by the passion and commitment of the immediate programme management team.  The development programme itself was clearly appropriate and focused on the needs of its market.

“The offer of a money-back guarantee, if participants are dissatisfied, is not only first rate, but rare practise in this sector.” 

The eX! Factor programme develops licensees with the kind of marketing skills used by major retail chains.  Independent surveys have revealed widespread improvements in business performance amongst participants.

The company’s area manager development programme is a compulsory yet flexible training programme closely aligned to the core competencies required for the role.  It is linked to ongoing mentor forums as a way of further supporting individual development.

Francis Patton, Punch Taverns’ customer services director, said: “This is a fantastic result for Punch Taverns and a great endorsement for our training programmes, both internally and externally.

“Our objective is to create a learning and development culture within Punch and we hope to reach a point where pub licensees and our own members of staff come to demand skills training to improve their performance.”

The NITAs are open to individual pub licensees, pub companies and training organisations and attract thousands of entries.  Winners also included one of Punch’s own licensees, Graham Rowson from the Plungington Tavern in Preston, who was named Licensee Trainer of the Year.
 
Francis Patton added: “The BII deserves great credit for organising the NITAs, which celebrate all that is good about the licensed trade industry.”

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