Headline Sponsor



Celebrating emerging talent

Creating exciting, memorable food and service experiences is what CH&CO is all about. Our expertise and enthusiasm span the diverse hospitality sector, including workplaces, destinations, venues, events, livery, education and healthcare.

People are always at the heart of hospitality and CH&CO. Our inclusive culture focuses on inspiring and developing all our people to grow with us – from the chefs and on-site teams serving our customers to our people working in our offices supporting our operations and clients.

From apprentice to director, people will succeed and grow with the inspiration and support to develop their skills and knowledge to be brilliant at their job. We encourage our people with the right opportunities and confidence to grow professionally and personally. We also champion hospitality as an exciting career option, working with industry partners to raise awareness of the fantastic pathways and limitless potential available to young people.

Inspiring and engaging emerging talent is very important as the industry advances in a changed landscape. We’re proud to be headline sponsor of the Acorn Awards and lead the way in celebrating the exciting young talent in our industry and nurturing the next dynamic generation of hospitality leaders.

https://www.chandcogroup.com

Supporting Partner


Multi-award winning The Belfry Hotel & Resort, situated in the West Midlands countryside just 10 miles from Birmingham’s international airport, is one of the leading resorts in the UK. It has over 300 bedrooms, three internationally recognised golf courses, over 22 meeting and events spaces equipped with the latest technology, and an award-winning spa and leisure club, as well as an array of family activities and facilities providing something for everyone. In 2023 the resort won over ten awards including: ‘England's Leading Resort' and 'England's Leading Meetings & Conference Hotel' at the World Travel Awards and 'People Team of the Year' at the Hotel Cateys.

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