BII Licensee of the Year Awards 2014 open

The BII has started its hunt for the UK's best pub licensee, with the launch of its 29th BII Licensee of the Year Award.

Judges, headed by John Sharratt, will be looking for:

• A clear demonstration of the highest levels of business acumen
• A clear commitment to staff development
• A passion for the licensed trade and the ability to speak knowledgeably about industry issues
• Stand-out ability to be a fitting ambassador for the industry

Established back in 1985, the BII's Licensee of the Year Award is the longest running professional awards in the industry and is open to all, regardless of BII membership.

The BII Licensee of the Year 2014 will be revealed at the BII Annual Lunch, which takes place at Grosvenor House hotel in May 2014.

The winners of the 2013 Licensee of the Year Award, Ashley and Kelly McCarthy from Ye Old Sun Inn, Colton, were announced as winners after passing through four challenging rounds of judging which included a pub visit from the lead judges and facing a nine-strong panel of industry experts who questioned every aspect of their business in detail. "Make no mistake, if you claim the title of BII Licensee of the Year, you really are the best of the best." said Tim Hulme, BII chief executive.

To enter, licensees should visit www.bii.org/loya and complete the first stage entry online. If they are successful in stage one, stage two entry forms will be sent to them.

Landlords of North Yorkshire's Ye Old Sun Inn win BII Licensee of the Year >>