NRB Top Fifty special achievement awards for Chris Hill and Nisha Katona

New World Trading Company chief executive Chris Hill (pictured), North Brew Co founders John Gyngell and Christian Townsley, and Mowgli founder Nisha Katona were honoured with special achievement awards at the Kuits NRB Top Fifty today.

Now in its eighth year, the Kuits NRB Top Fifty lists northern England's most significant and influential hospitality operators and saw six new entries and two re-entries in its latest list.

Announced today at Northern Restaurant & Bar 2019, the hospitality trade exhibition in Manchester, the three special award winners highlighted operators who have enjoyed a particular stellar year.

2017 Pub & Bar Catey award winner New World Trading Company has expanded by more than six new sites each year following a further £5.6m investment from NatWest bank and earned itself a fixture in The Sunday Times Fast Track 100, while North Brew Co was recognised for its sustained and organic commercial progress. Katona was awarded an MBE for services to the food industry in 2018.

New entries to the list included the founders and directors of Daniel Thwaites, Evuna, Tattu, Ossett Brewery, the Inn Collection Group, and Gracious Development Group. Both Gusto and Revolution Bars re-entered the list due to impressive performance under new management teams.

Thom Hetherington, chief executive of the event organiser Holden Media, said: "It's been another strong year for the north's leading operators, driving the industry forward with a balance of expansion, innovation and consolidation."

• Pick up this week's issue of The Caterer* (22 March) to learn more about Nisha Katona and Mowgli*

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