Purple Umbrella Awards reveals 2026 finalists

Umbrella Training has revealed the finalists for the 10th anniversary Purple Umbrella Awards, recognising the apprentices, mentors and employers who are shaping the future of hospitality.

 

Two winners were additionally announced ahead of the awards ceremony on 18 September 2026 at BAFTA, Piccadilly, London.

 

London’s Community Kitchen, led by Taz Khan and Suzy Jakeman, will be presented with the Special Achievement Award in recognition of its outstanding work supporting unemployed Londoners into sustainable hospitality careers through Umbrella Training’s Taste of Culinary Skills Bootcamp, alongside its continued commitment to tackling food insecurity across London’s communities.

 

To mark the awards’ 10th anniversary, Harry Murray was named the recipient of the inaugural Diamond Award. A champion of apprenticeships and early careers, Murray has supported the Purple Umbrella Awards since their inception, serving as a judge for all 10 years and advocating for the development of future hospitality talent.

 

Judging took place at the Stafford London, where a panel of industry leaders praised the quality, creativity and impact demonstrated throughout this year’s submissions.

 

One of the judges, Kayleigh Dukes, talent and apprenticeship development partner at the Q Hotels Collection, said: “Behind every nomination was an inspiring story of someone who has embraced every opportunity to learn, overcome challenges and make a genuine difference. Choosing finalists was incredibly difficult because the quality of entries was outstanding, but it was a wonderful reminder of just how much talent, passion and potential exists within our industry."

 

Umbrella Training’s chief executive and founder Adele Oxberry added: “Judging the Purple Umbrella Awards entry submissions is genuinely my favourite day of the year. Reading the incredible journeys of our apprentices never fails to inspire me. Every entry tells a story of determination, growth and achievement, and I feel so proud to play a small part in supporting these life-changing journeys.

 

“Congratulations to every finalist – you should all be incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved. Huge thanks also to the wonderful judges who gave up their time to help with the selection."

 

The Purple Umbrella Awards 2026 finalists

Best Chef Apprentice Level 2

• Ben Oldham – Soho House
• Charlie Knapman – Home Grown Hotels
• George Chislett – The CRUMBS Project
• Georgina Knatchbull – Home Grown Hotels
• Jamie Brown – Beckford Group
• Tariq Spalding – The Felix Project
• Zac Cottle – Beckford Group

 

Best Chef Apprentice Level 3

• Maria Memba Meseguer – Green & Fortune
• Harry Lamble Thomas – The Store Oxford
• Thomas Williams – Home Grown Hotels

 

Best Level 2 Apprentice

• Veronica Hoxha – Bvlgari Hotel London
• Jayne Lee – Farncombe Estate
• Callum Hays – The Chancery Rosewood
• Elias De Graaff – Soho House

 

Best Level 3 Apprentice

• Brianna Penny – Beckford Group
• Lamgie Yip – Corinthia London
• Kelly Reynolds – Farncombe Estate
• Lara Saab – Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
• Carson Cunningham – Luxury Family Hotels
• Kateryna Bodnar – Splendid Hospitality Group
• Faiza Tasnim – The Hoxton, Southwark
• Viviana Buono – The Stafford London
• Pedro De Sousa – The Store Oxford

 

Best Level 4 Apprentice

• Frank Ellis – Splendid Hospitality Group
• Polly Croker – Marston’s
• Evelina Juralyte – Gather & Gather, CH&Co
• Shamsad Chowdhury – Klarent Hospitality
• Giovanni Salemi – Clermont Hotel Group
• Joshua Pritchard – Luxury Family Hotels
• Claudio Camacho – Loveday, Abbey Road
• Mia Hughes – The QHotels Collection
• Samuel Harton – The QHotels Collection

 

Best Level 4 Luxury Leaders Apprentice

• Jonathan Ciammella – Jumeirah Carlton Tower
• Samuel Milbery – The Chancery Rosewood
• Alessandra Motisi – The Stafford London
• Kamaldeep Singh – Clermont Hotel Group

 

Best Level 5 Apprentice

• Harriet Ainley – The QHotels Collection
• Ilinca Costache – Farncombe Estate
• Joanne Thorniley – The QHotels Collection
• Kathryn Law – Farncombe Estate
• Louis Fouché – Clermont Hotel Group
• Sally Jones – The QHotels Collection
• Sylwia Umelo – Klarent Hospitality

 

Best Apprentice Mentor

• Tom Sheppard – Home Grown Hotels
• Joseph Zanaty – Luxury Family Hotels
• Ursula Boardman – The CRUMBS Project
• Mikel Gkounta – Klarent Hospitality
• Kerry Allen – The QHotels Collection
• Nick Hughes – The QHotels Collection

 

Best Apprentice from Another Provider

• Megan Jenkins – BaxterStorey
• Joanne Baggaley – BaxterStorey
• Matthew Wood – Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
• Amy Henry – The QHotels Collection