Entries sought for 2017 British Travel & Hospitality Hall of Fame

25 November 2016 by Amanda Afiya

Entries are being sought for the 2017 British Travel & Hospitality Hall of Fame, organised by The Caterer together with its sister brand Travel Weekly.

The prestigious annual awards honour outstanding business achievement in the travel, hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors.

Members of the Hall of Fame have all attained extraordinary commercial success and shown outstanding leadership in the industry sectors they serve. The British Travel & Hospitality Hall of Fame celebrates the close links and common goals shared between travel, hospitality, leisure and tourism.

Leading operators inducted into the Hall of Fame earlier this year included the godfathers of modern British cuisine, Albert and Michel Roux; Alastair Storey, chairman and chief executive of the largest independent contract catering service provider, WSH; and one of the country's most visionary hoteliers, Robin Hutson, the chairman and chief executive of Lime Wood Group and Home Grown Hotels.

Commenting on the awards, Michel Roux said: "These incredible awards stand as a beacon of inspiration to us who strive for excellence in the tourism and hospitality industries and I could not be more humbled."

Nominations are now being sought for the 2017 Hall of Fame members and for the other related awards, which will also be presented at the awards dinner on 8 May at London's Dorchester hotel. The deadline for entries is 12 December.

In addition to inducting new members into the Hall of Fame, awards will be presented to the Young Manager of the Year and the Young Entrepreneur of the Year. There will also be an award for Business Achievement.

The Young Manager of the Year Award will be presented to an individual who has created a major impact on the performance of the business or department within a business, through the application of strong management techniques, business understanding, strategic appreciation and people management skills, and who is aged 35 or younger (as of 31 December 2016).

The Young Entrepreneur of the Year award has been created to recognise young entrepreneurs working within the travel, leisure and hospitality sector. It acknowledges the passion and drive behind an entrepreneur, whether the company is private or listed, family owned or private equity backed, across all commercial and industrial sectors, and at any stage of business development. Candidates must be aged 35 or younger (as at 31 December 2016).

The Business Achievement of the Year award will be presented to an individual or company deemed by the Hall of Fame judging committee to have made a significant and measurable business achievement within the past 12 months.

Tim Axe, commercial director at Benugo, part of WSH, won the 2016 Young Manager of the Year award and was praised for being a natural leader who drives his team to continually deliver record sales growth. At the time of presenting the award, the judges commented: "A strategic thinker, he has played a major role in creating an inclusive, motivated team mentality, ensuring everyone from the kitchen porter to directors contribute to the same goals, which has played a huge part in the continued success of the organisation."

Other successes on the night included the Young Entrepreneur of the Year recipient Harry Hastings of Ocean Holidays, and Business Achievement Award winner Jet 2. The Clove Club's Daniel Willis and Johnny Smith, both co-owners, were also shortlisted for the entrepreneur award.

To nominate for the 2017 British Travel & Hospitality Hall of Fame, please go to bthhof.com. For ticket enquiries, email Helen Bush, and for sponsorship enquiries please email Mark Lewis.

Tim Axe honoured at the British Travel Hospitality Hall of Fame >>

The Roux Brothers' Alastair Storey and Robin Hutson inducted into the Hall of Fame >>

Chris Corbin and Jeremy King inducted into the Hall of Fame >>