The Springboard Awards aim to honour the sector's most innovative and dedicated professionals, setting a new benchmark for excellence in the field.
Guests were treated to welcome drinks in the Lioness Bar, followed by an ‘exquisite’ four-course meal with paired wines in the Sir Bobby Moore Room. A surprise performance by M People's Heather Small provided the entertainment, whilst sports broadcaster Geoff Shreeves was the awards night host.
Chris Gamm, chief executive of Springboard, said: "The Springboard Awards for Excellence 2025 were truly spectacular. In a year that once again tested our industry's resilience, these awards celebrated the determined spirit and impressive innovation that define the hospitality industry. Each nominee and winner represent the very best of our sector, showcasing the bright future of hospitality and the incredible individuals shaping it.”
The Springboard Awards for Excellence 2025 winners were:
- Fiona Colley Trainee of the Year - Kyle Steward
- Best Recruitment Initiative Award, sponsored by Caterer.com- Greene King
- Best Apprenticeship Strategy, sponsored by HIT Training- Mitchells & Butlers
- Employee Engagement, sponsored by Indeed Flex- Valor Hospitality
- Best Training Programme, sponsored by IHG- Adam Handling Collection
- Career Development Initiative, sponsored by Diageo- Z Hotels
- Best Use of Technology- Brewhouse and Kitchen
- Talent Development Team of the Year, sponsored by Sybron- Incipio Group
- Employee Health and Wellbeing, sponsored by Hand Picked Hotels- Punch Pubs & Co
- Community Engagement, sponsored by 5 Hertford Street & Oswald’s- Greene King
- Disability Champion, sponsored by Sodexo- Whitbread
- Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, sponsored by CH&CO- Dorchester Collection
- Best Education and Industry Partnership- The Belfry Hotel & Resort
- Sustainable Business, sponsored by Nestlé Professional- Rare Restaurants
- Springboard Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by BaxterStorey- Alice Barrett, Vacherin
- Best Employer, sponsored by Boyes Turner- Eden Hotel Collection
- Partner of the Year- Hilton
- Chris Beaumont Outstanding Contribution, sponsored by Bidfood- Ian Smith and Gillian Dalziel, Diageo
The event raised a record-breaking £179,000 for the Springboard Charity through sponsorship, ticket sales and fundraising.
This will help fund Springboard’s work to futureproof the talent pipeline for hospitality and tourism by promoting the industry, attracting talent and equipping individuals with essential skills through its employability training courses and careers programmes.