Acorn Awards 2025: Hannah Lewis, Company of Cooks

Age 27

Position Central venue sales and events manager, Company of Cooks 

Nominator Emma Jones, sales and marketing director, Company of Cooks

Hannah Lewis has carved out a reputation as one of hospitality’s most dynamic young sales leaders – and aged just 27, she’s already delivering impressively. 

Recently promoted to central venue sales and events manager at Company of Cooks, Lewis’ journey with CH&Co began in 2019, working as a sales and event assistant. Now, six years on, she oversees a multimillion-pound venue portfolio, managing two direct reports and four in-venue managers.

Her rise has been swift and strategic; from boosting wedding revenue post-Covid at Dartmouth House to smashing sales records at Abbey Road Studios – where she grew catering turnover by more than 70% – Lewis has consistently exceeded targets and expectations. Her creativity also shines in her launch of Company of Cooks Events, a strategy to showcase smaller event spaces within existing venues, and leading promotional activities for venues like Coopers’ Hall, which hit 335% of its 2024 target under her guidance.

But her impact goes far beyond commercial success. Lewis has raised more than £150,000 for hospitality-focused charities through gala dinners and events she’s run in her own time. She’s supported social enterprises like Luminary Bakery and Well Grounded, led a company-wide charity netball tournament and established herself as the business’ go-to social connector and event lead.

Known for her people-first approach, Lewis has mentored junior team members into promotions and permanent roles. Whether she’s improving client journeys, training teams or driving Instagram engagement, her drive, warmth and business instincts are helping shape a more connected, inclusive and commercially savvy hospitality sector.