The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has announced the quarter-finalists for its 2026 Licensee of the Year Award (LOYA), recognising outstanding operators from across the UK pub sector.

Widely regarded as the industry’s most prestigious accolade for individual licensees and partnerships, LOYA celebrates excellence in running licensed venues. The competition follows a rigorous judging process, including mystery customer visits and in-depth assessment across all areas of the business, from marketing and sustainability to training, development and community engagement.

The 2026 quarter-finalists represent a diverse group of operators who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, passion and performance in their businesses, as well as a strong commitment to their teams and local communities.

The full list of quarter-finalists is as follows:

Alin & Corina Onofrei – The Poplars Inn
Andrew & Emma Mounsey – The Star
Angi McKean – The Chrystal Bell
Anita & Nick George – Logan Rock Inn
Becky Sumner – The Red Lion Eynsham
Benjamin Bullman-Bell – The George IV
Billy O’Flynn – The Woolpack Inn, Louth
Carl Perkins & Chris Dukes – The Bell & Cross
Carole Davis – The Clifton Arms
Chantell Dickinson & Matthew Steele – Beverley Arms
Christopher Farman – The Royal Oak
Darren & Shannon Harding – The Woolpack Inn, Islip
David & Louise Mortlock – The Molesworth Arms
David Wakefield – The Farmers Arms
Deborah Collinge – The Famous Albert
Eamonn England & Arina Piskunova – The Windsor Castle
Emma & Josh Clarke – Chesterfield Arms
Emma & Paul Gibbon – The Plough, Prestbury
Georgia Brant – The Railway Inn
Ian & Lisa Prior-Richards – Earl of Chatham
Jacqueline Fairburn – Hare & Hounds
James Bennett – St James Tavern
Janice Blacklock & Amanda Buchanan – Border Terrier
Jonathan Kaye – Prince of Wales
Justin & Charlotte Lamba – The Cow Shed at The Ship Inn
Kelly & Simon Hill – The Tavern Inn
Kelly Woodward – Horse & Jockey
Laurence Bowes – The Rock Inn
Layla Sidat – The Globe
Lee Wheaton – New Fountain Inn
Linda Cole – The Berkeley Arms
Louise McPhee – Royal Oak
Maisie Doyle – The White Horse
Manu Bhatt – The Running Horses
Matt Crowther – The Lost Pug
Michael & Julia Foxwell – The Old House at Home
Micky Foden-Andrews – The Swan in Clewer
Nathan Moseby – The Joker
Nicholas & Wendy Harrop – The Ranken Arms
Nicole Webb – King William IV
Nigel Smith – The Fleece Inn
Ronnie Wilders – Running Horses
Sharon Harris – The Ship Inn
Sonia Labatut – The Plough, East Sheen
Sue Morley – Bow Street Runner
Susan Busby – Three Churches
Suzanne Shaw & Michael Rowley – Old George Inn
Tom & Tony Taylor – The Mutton at Hazeley Heath
Tom McNeeney – The Oxford Pub
Vicki & Jade Gracie – The Kings Arms

The competition will now progress to the next stage, with quarter-finalists continuing through the assessment process before a shortlist of finalists is selected. The overall winner will be announced at the BII’s Summer Event, held at the HAC in London.

The Licensee of the Year Award continues to shine a spotlight on the individuals and partnerships driving standards across the UK’s licensed trade, highlighting the resilience, innovation and community focus that underpin the sector.

Find out more at bii.org/events-and-awards/loya