Wagamama boss Emma Woods scoops top prize at Retailers' Retailer Awards

Woods emerged as the popular choice among her industry peers after seeing off strong competition from Loungers CEO Nick Collins, Greggs CEO Roger Whiteside and Oakman executive chairman Peter Borg-Neal. 

The Wagamama boss is credited with adapting to the pressures of the Coronavirus pandemic and continuing the brand’s positive momentum under the stewardship of The Restaurant Group.

The Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards are run by BigHospitality’s sister title MCA and are based on nominations from industry leaders.

“We love being part of this sector and peer acknowledgement is very important,” says Woods, on collecting the award.

“2020 was just the most incredibly challenging year and we learned lots of things. Probably the thing that strikes me as the most important lesson for us has been the importance of the sense of team. It’s been that team-ship that has really carried us through.”  

The awards also recognised Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) chairman Bob Ivell, who was awarded a Lifetime Achievement gong.

In a career that has spanned more than 40 years, Ivell has been at the forefront of the food-led managed pub market having worked at Whitbread and Scottish & Newcastle before joining M&B in 2011. In the intervening years Ivell was responsible for drive the business forward, with brands like Toby Carvery and Miller & Carter becoming sector stars.