Nottingham’s hospitality heroes celebrated at the NHA Awards 2025

Last Thursday, the Nottingham Hospitality Association (NHA) proudly celebrated the very best of the city’s hospitality industry at its second Nottingham Hospitality Awards event. Hosted at Crowne Plaza Nottingham, the NHA Awards 2025 shined a spotlight on individuals and teams who have gone above and beyond in quality and service, cementing Nottingham’s position as a leading hospitality destination.

Ryan Pears from St James was recognised as Mentor of the Year for his exceptional leadership and commitment to staff development. Ryan has been instrumental in launching key initiatives at the hotel such as "Safe Space" and "Best Bar None," which prioritise staff wellbeing and promote service excellence. His commitment to nurturing his team includes providing barista training, wine education with Hallgarten, and engaging gin and vodka sessions with Masons.

This year’s Rising Star Award, celebrating individuals with exceptional potential and a bright future in the industry, went to Omar Hamed from Crowne Plaza Nottingham. Omar received recognition from his peers and recently received the Pride of Valor Award for front of house customer service, competing against other co-workers nationally.

The Best Newcomer Award went to Peter Bickley, Food & Beverage Supervisor at Hilton Nottingham. Peter quickly earned the respect of his colleagues with his hands-on approach and industry expertise. As Training Champ, he tailored training to suit individual learning styles, driving consistent high performance within the team.

Costin Duckmanton from Crowne Plaza Nottingham was awarded the Chairman’s Choice Award, selected by chair Richard Johal. Within 12 months, he prevented two suicide attempts in his role as Car Park Attendant by contacting emergency services and staying with those in crisis until help arrived, ensuring they received the support they needed.

Richard Johal, Chair of the Nottingham Hospitality Association, said: “This year’s awards have truly raised the bar, showcasing the outstanding talent, dedication, and innovation within Nottingham’s hospitality industry. It’s inspiring to see so many individuals and teams going above and beyond to deliver excellence, and tonight was a fantastic celebration of their hard work. Nottingham continues to strengthen its reputation as a leading hospitality destination, and we are incredibly proud to recognise and support the people who make that possible.”

During the awards, the NHA raised £1,000 for its chosen charity, Nottingham Hospitals Charity, which supports enhanced care across local NHS hospitals, including Queen’s Medical Centre, City Hospital, Ropewalk House, and Nottingham Children’s Hospital. The charity was selected as the NHA has been personally impacted this year, with several members facing cancer treatments or supporting loved ones through their battles.

The event’s full list of winners can be found below:

● Best Newcomer: Peter Bickley from Hilton Nottingham

● Mentor of the Year: Ryan Pears from St James

● Front of House Customer Service: Simon Nuttall from Crowne Plaza Nottingham

● Back of House Customer Service: Nicole Wright from Leonardo Hotel Nottingham

● Unsung Hero: Charlotte Tyrer from Hilton Nottingham

● Rising Star: Omar Hamed from Crowne Plaza Nottingham

● Top Team: Operations Team from Nottingham Venues

● Chairman’s Choice: Costin Duckmanton from Crowne Plaza Nottingham

For more information about NHA and its initiatives, visit: https://nottinghamhospitality.co.uk/