2024 Winners


  • Daniel Bennett, general manager, Heft
  • Toby Bonnett, mobilisation and project lead, BaxterStorey
  • Matty Carter, conference and events sales office and reservations manager, the Grand Hotel Birmingham
  • Laurissa Cook, restaurant manager and owner, Pignut
  • Sam Cotton, food and beverage manager, De Vere Tortworth Court
  • Anna Davies, head of marketing and communications, Thomas Franks
  • Bella Davis, social media manager, Rosewood London
  • Chris Davis, head chef, Company of Cooks
  • Bradley Dorrington, owner/director, the Wine Cellar BSE
  • Poppy Eyles, front of house manager, the Nici
  • Tom Fraser, front of house manager, the Rubens at the Palace, Red Carnation Hotels
  • Ben Garnett-Sinclair, head chef, Vacherin
  • Tomás Gormley, chef patron, Skua
  • Adam Howard, general manager, Mollie’s Motels
  • Jamie Kendall, head of finance, Culinera
  • Polly Lamy, head of commercial, Elior UK
  • Emily Lewis, operations director, the Lewis Partnership
  • Marieluise Muhlhamer, assistant food and beverage manager, Cliveden House, Iconic Luxury Hotels
  • Andrew Muir, director of rooms, the Hoxton
  • Lauren Murie, people operations manager, Dakota Edinburgh
  • Charlie Needler, head barista, Gather & Gather
  • Carlotta Pascual-Solera, hotel manager, Andrew Brownsword Hotels
  • Georgia Price, training manager, Oakman Inns
  • Alana Quigley, restaurant manager, Gleneagles
  • Gareth Rees, food and beverage manager, the Manor House hotel
  • Charlotte Shaw, head housekeeper, the Athenaeum Hotel and Residences
  • Benjamin Sutton, junior events manager, the Grand Hotel Brighton
  • Matthew Wallace, managing director, the Cairndale hotel
  • Thomas White, operations manager, the Egerton House hotel, Red Carnation Hotels
  • Sam Yorke, chef patron, Heron

Winning an Acorn Award is a huge honour. After such a turbulent time for our industry, it was an amazing achievement to be named among 29 other talented people as a rising star and is the highlight of my career to date. My network has extended immensely, and I met some fantastic people during the winners’ weekend.

Beth Morgan-Jones People, New Ventures and Operations Chantelle Nicholson / Apricity

Speaking honestly, I never thought I would receive this unparalleled recognition, especially looking at the accomplishments of the 2021 winners and their predecessors, so I speak with authority when I say that with hard work, passion, and dedication all things are possible and that it gives me a huge sense of pride to know that many of you reading this today are our Acorn Winners of tomorrow. Being an acorn award winner has been a pinnacle moment in my career and has made me more determined than ever to keep driving forwards in this great industry of ours

Rachael Stevens Front of House Manager Pennyhill Park

Winning an Acorn award has been a huge honour for me. To be acknowledged by the industry that I have worked in for 13 years is incredibly humbling, and I look forward to using this platform to furthering my career and inspire others.

Freya Morton Reception Manager the Pig hotel

My biggest passion has always been to encourage people to join our amazing industry, whether a brand-new generation or people from other industries. Being nominated and winning an Acorn, has allowed me to have a national voice in promoting authentic mentorship attitudes and hopefully, supporting the Acorn winners of the future!

Jenni Clarke Head of Curriculum and Learning Technologies Umbrella Training

The Acorn Awards are iconic within the industry, and I was deeply honoured to be selected to join a community of such talented and inspirational champions of our fantastic industry. A milestone moment in my career, and an amazing opportunity to connect with a group of people who share my passion for the industry. It is an experience I will cherish, and I am hugely grateful to everyone who has supported me in getting here.

Chris Bancroft Operations Manager - Visitor Attraction the Newt in Somerset