Responsible for a number of cafés, bars and staff restaurants at Green & Fortune’s Sea Containers site (South Bank, London), he also oversees its six events spaces which have a capacity of up to 600.
Announced at ACE’s annual summer party yesterday (18 July) on board Sodexo’s Bateaux London, Pike commented: “I’m passionate about progressing in this fantastic and diverse industry. I have been fortunate enough to have been afforded some great professional opportunities and also enjoyed several amazing experiences.
“I received some great simple advice from my granddad, which I hope will continue to serve me well: ‘Whatever you are doing, do it well and good things will follow.’”
Taking home an overnight stay with dining at the five-star hotel, The Ned (London), he also received the Robyns Trophy and lifetime ACE membership.
Tim Jones, who co-founded CH&Co with his late wife Robyn (who inspired the award) and judged, added: “I would like to congratulate all of the entrants. We thought last year’s entries were good but they were even higher this year, and we had great difficulty drawing up a shortlist as many were particularly inspiring - demonstrating the drive and initiative that Robyn was well-known for.
“The judges had to make some difficult choices but I know that Robyn would have been very pleased with the winner and the success of the awards.”
In second place was Florence McFarlane, Genuine Dining Co followed by Catrin Aherne from The Clink in third. They are both invited to ACE’s annual 2019 charity dinner.
ACE chair, Gaye Bullard, said: “The ACE Robyns is now in its third year, and we have started an alumni with two events a year to help emerging leaders in the industry foster their career path.
“We have also invited previous ACE Robyns finalists to join the ACE Council to keep that talent involved in the future of ACE. ”
This year’s judging panel comprised: ACE chair Gaye Bullard; immediate past chair, Paul Hurren; CH&Co co-founder Tim Jones; Suzie Boyd, director of sponsor Troika; Norman Deas, GSS director; Jo Harley, Purple Cubed managing director; and was chaired by Vic Laws.