Bartlett Mitchell walked away with two of the top honours for New Media and Best Employer. Judges liked their use of social media and the quality of their initiatives in workforce demographics. Starwood Hotels, Central London, had delivered a responsive and revolutionary approach to help people develop which in turn helped them secure the People Innovation Award. Whilst the Langstone Hotel showed huge foresight and trust as they let students run their hotel for a day winning them the Young People Award. Pubs and bars were also recognised for their endeavours with Charles Wells Pub Company going all out to reduce churn in their establishments through a variety of approaches and they won the award for Best Recruitment Initiative. Elaine Bowers from The Lowry, was the emotional recipient of the Ambassadors Award for her dedicated and committed approach to spreading the word about a career in hospitality. Judges couldn't decide between The Cavendish and SSP for the Best Career Progression Award and so both were announced as joint winners. The Best Chef Strategy accolade is always one of the most hotly contested areas and this year it was Hilton Worldwide who walked away with the top honours for their advanced learning programmes and study trips. Crieff Hydro Ltd won the Best Management Strategy for a unique two-way process of maximising the individual's potential within the business. The Clink Charity which really impressed the judging panel with its creativity won the Diversity in Employment award. In the hotly contested area for the Education Pipeline Award it was Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa that got top marks for clever use of partner organisations that helped young people get nurtured, grown and retained in the business. Hilton in the Community Foundations' winning entry in the Best Regional Initiative used great autonomy within their global brand to help solve community issues that won. The Best Student Placement Provider was the property of Park Plaza County Hall whose dedicated approach to the development of young people was lauded by the judges, with Ed's Easy Diner pocketing the Best Food and Beverage Strategy for their extended offer and value for money. Turnover and the ability to slow it down is always high on the corporate agenda and it was The Orchid Group who got this exactly right with their sterling work on retention rates to collect the Retention Award. Elior UK ticked every box as they lifted the Corporate Responsibility Award combining every aspect of working with schools, colleges and universities to create a unique initiative. The very special Chris Beaumont Award was awarded to Heiko Figge FIH, Gouman & Thistle Hotels for the outstanding contribution, leadership and vision he has given to support the work of The Springboard Charity. In a one off award to celebrate Springboard's 21 years, The Springboard Chairman's 21st Anniversary Award went to Danny Pecorelli and The Team at Exclusive Hotels.