The Coaching Inn Group Awards 2024

On Thursday 11th April, over 350 people from our 35 hotels, central office, and roaming support teams gathered at The Engine Shed in Lincoln to celebrate what has been a multi-award-winning year for all of us.

The night began with our former CEO; Kevin Charity, saying a few words. Per tradition, Kevin reflected on the past year, the challenges faced together, the successes we’ve shared, and the laughs along the way. This time, he also looked back over his career in hospitality and the inception, growth, and success of The Coaching Inn Group. People are at the very heart of what we do here, and this couldn’t have resonated more tonight. The outpouring of love, appreciation, and genuine gratitude shown by Kevin, and reciprocated by everyone present, was on full display.

The Winners

Front Of House Person Of The Year – Claudia Usai

The Front Of House Person Of The Year Award is presented to a Team Member who can be relied upon to ensure the utmost care is taken. This year, we’re delighted to present this award to Claudia Usai, from The Wynnstay, Oswestry.

Night Porter Of The Year – David Collins

When our guests are sleeping soundly, our Night Porters are working through the night to ensure we are ready to operate come the morning. The award for Night Porter Of The Year is given to David Collins from The Golden Lion, St Ives.

Kitchen Team Member Of The Year – Gareth Powell

Starting at The Old Bridge Inn, Holmfirth as a Kitchen Porter, before being trained as a chef, our Kitchen Team Member Of The Year, is Gareth Powell.

Sous Chef Of The Year – Sean Chamberlain

Our Sous Chef Of The Year takes on all the responsibilities, ensuring the smooth operation of the kitchen whilst the Head Chef is away. Taking home the award this year, is none other than Sean Chamberlain, from The Admiral Rodney in Horncastle.

Bar Person Of The Year – Stefan Apredoaei

Driving wet sales, being a master mixologist, and a savvy sommelier, as well as pouring a cracking pint for our guests, the Bar Person Of The Year title is reserved for the best of the best in The Coaching Inn Group. We’re delighted to award Stefan Apredoaei from The White Hart Royal, Moreton In Marsh with the award this year.

Newcomer Of The Year – Martin Shires

Being the new kid on the block isn’t always easy, but our nominees for this award have certainly made it look that way! Making an instant impression at their site, and showing great character, our Newcomer Of The Year is Martin Shires from The Swan, Wells.

Maintenance Person Of The Year – Rob Gumbrell

Our Maintenance Operatives are some of the most hard-working hidden heroes at our sites. Responding to all tasks, however big or small, our Maintenance Person Of The Year is committed to the general upkeep of their site like no other, and always be on hand for an emergency fix when the phone rings. The 2024 Maintenance Person Of The Year, is Rob Gumbrell from The Jamaica Inn, Bodmin Moor.

Housekeeper Of the Year – Tracy James

Awarded to a Housekeeper who has an eye for detail, and makes our rooms that bit extra special for our guests, our nominees all show a commitment to keeping our room standards as excellent as possible, as well as ensuring the clean consistency required in all areas of our hotels. This year, we’re delighted to be presenting the Housekeeper Of The Year Award to Tracy James of The Feathers Hotel in Helmsley.

Head Housekeeper Of The Year – Eve Stafford

It is said that cleanliness is next to godliness. A strong Head Housekeeper has the task of ensuring their team is on the ball, day in, day out. They are the standard bearers, who ensure that all of our guests have the most amazing-looking rooms to relax in come check-in time. This year, we award the title of Head Housekeeper Of The Year, to none other than Eve Stafford, from The Swan Hotel in Stafford!

Receptionist Of The Year – Mandie Whittington

First & final impressions are everything. A friendly face at check-in sets the tone for our guests’ stay. Our Receptionist Of The Year, is Mandie Whittington, from The Forest Park Hotel in Brockenhurst.

Supporting Person Of The Year – Dave Young

Our Supporting Person Of The Year has spent time at many of our sites, both supporting General Managers and also taking over from them to cover Annual Leave when required. They’ve instantly been able to click with the teams and ensure smooth operation, and business as usual. Our Supporting Person Of The Year; Dave Young.

Supporting Chef Of The Year – Malcolm Storey

Our Roaming Chefs are a dynamic team of talented, outgoing individuals, who are on hand at a moment’s notice, to start their engines, and jump in the kitchen of many hotels. Our Supporting Chef Of The Year does all of that with ease, and so much more. Ladies & Gentlemen, our Supporting Chef Of The Year; Malcolm Storey.

Duty Manager Of The Year – Josh Baynes

Our Duty Managers are reliable shift leaders, who show willingness and drive to progress, with a commitment to Front Of House standards, and delivering guest satisfaction on another level. This year, we award Duty Manager Of The Year to Josh Baynes from The Talbot Hotel in Oundle.

Unlocking Potential Award – Amy Tye

The recipient of the Unlocking Potential Award is someone who has taken both their personal, and career development seriously. Progressing like no other, and making sure that they are always pushing to be that one step ahead of the rest. This year, the Unlocking Potential Award goes to Amy Tye!

Deputy General Manager Of The Year – Alice Pooles

Our Deputy General Managers make life that much easier for their General Managers, in many ways. They may take the responsibility of drafting rotas, planning events, running weddings, and keeping paperwork up to date. This year, we’re delighted to bestow this title, to Alice Pooles of The Jamaica Inn, Bodmin Moor.

Team Spirit Award – The Talbot Hotel, Malton

This particular award is for the team that shows ultimate synergy, togetherness, and the ability to pull together through the good and the bad. They’ll always have their focus on delivering top-class hospitality, but they can do it whilst enjoying themselves, and that always translates well to fostering an amazing environment for our guests to relax, and enjoy themselves. This year, there’s no better recipient than The Talbot Hotel in Malton.

Central Office Person Of The Year – Clare Gribbon

Our Central Office Person Of The Year is a friendly face, with the warmest of auras. They are always on hand to support our many employees and offer their guidance and advice to General Managers. This year, the winner of Central Office Person Of The Year is Clare Gribbon, People Business Partner.

Group Hero Of The Year – Hollie McKenzie

Each year, our General Managers have the difficult task of looking back on the year and picking out their Hero Of The Year. If it’s difficult to pick just one Hero, imagine how difficult it is when you take all of those incredible people, and decide on who is the most deserving. Nonetheless, on the evening of the 10th Annual Coaching Inn Group Awards, the Group Hero Of The Year is Hollie McKenzie, from The Golden Fleece in Thirsk.

Head Chef Of The Year – Lee Hall

If you’re looking for a strong leadership figure, look no further than this year’s Head Chef Of The Year. Their calming presence makes working in their kitchen an absolute joy, and they’ve shown great resolve, delivering great results in the kitchen, both on paper, and for their diners. Our Coaching Inn Group Head Chef Of The Year, is Lee Hall, of The Admiral Rodney Hotel in Horncastle.

General Manager Of The Year – Bill Ramsay

The penultimate award of the evening is for the General Managers of each hotel. All names are in the hat, and everything is looked at from sales, performance, mystery guest results, guest satisfaction, the ability to stick to budgets, and the way they lead their teams. With all these factors taken into consideration, and a lot of deliberating, the General Manager Of The Year, is Bill Ramsay of The White Hart Royal, Moreton In Marsh.

Hotel Of The Year – The Manor Hotel, Blakeney

With an estate of 35 hotels, and the numbers growing every year, our final award gets increasingly difficult to decide each year. This year, our Hotel Of The Year, is The Manor Hotel, Blakeney.