Kate Nicholls receives Live Your Life Award

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Kate Nicholls receives Live Your Life Award

Related tags Kate nicholls ukhospitality Keith knowles Franca Knowles Pubs

The British Institute of Innkeeping has awarded CEO of UK Hospitality Kate Nicholls with the Franca Knowles Live Your Life Award, for 'devotion of energy, spirit and life to the hospitality sector’.

The award is billed as being the pinnacle of the BII’s award programme, the National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs), which were awarded in November 2020 following an online competition.

Awarded in person to Kate Nicholls by Franca’s husband, founder and CEO of Beds and Bars, the award recognises the huge contribution of an individual in raising professional standards within the hospitality sector, and is dedicated to the memory of the late Franca Knowles MBE, who herself was a leading light in supporting the development and training of people and teams.

Keith and Franca have both inspired and led innovation within the hospitality sector, and in 2009, Franca was awarded an MBE for services to hospitality training, including her tireless work to develop the Footsteps Training Programme, an invaluable tool for small, independent companies.

Keith was also awarded an OBE in 2017, recognising his remarkable services within the industry, but also for his work with multiple charities and local communities, including the Team Margot Foundation and Meningitis Now.

“I have known Kate from the early days of the ALMR (today the UKH). She helped us set up and run the Westminster Licensees Association with the hard task of finding reason with Westminster Council,” Keith says. 

“I have seen her develop into the role she holds today as the CEO of UKH in the most challenging times - COVID, showing the highest professional standards and care for our people of our industry."

"She has been at the forefront of championing our sector and the professional standards needed to run a modern hospitality business, helping government and local authorities to appreciate this." 

Other recipients of the award include Ian Payne, David Bruce, Tim Martin, Kris Gumbrell and the BII’s own Mike Clist.

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