On the 20th of April 2023, the hospitality industry came together for an unforgettable night of celebration and recognition at the Springboard Awards for Excellence 2023, held at the East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf and hosted by the broadcaster and journalist Gordon Smart.

Held and organised by the hospitality charity Springboard, the awards celebrated the achievements of the hospitality industry’s most talented individuals and companies, highlighting the industry’s most inspiring and resourceful leaders, who have shown innovation and creativity in the face of unprecedented challenges.

The 48 shortlisted hospitality businesses and individuals competed for the prestigious awards across 16 categories, with winners selected by a panel of industry experts including Ronan Harte, CEO of BaxterStorey, Diago Masciaga, and more.

One of the most heart-warming moments of the night was the announcement of Toby Markham from London as the winner of the Fiona Colley Trainee of the Year Award. Toby has cerebral palsy and had struggled to find employment as a result. Upon completing Springboard’s Galvin’s Chance programme, Toby landed his first-ever job within the sector.

Discussing his win, Toby said: “Having cerebral palsy has made things more challenging for me, but with the support of the charity, I have been able to develop my employment skills and gain the confidence I need to succeed. I am delighted to have won this award, which recognizes all the hard work and effort I have put in, and it just goes to show that with the right support, anything is possible.”

Speaking about the awards, Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard, said, “The Springboard Awards for Excellence 2023 provide a fantastic opportunity for the industry to come together and showcase the immense talent and successes of its top businesses. The Awards recognise the hard work and dedication of hospitality superstars and demonstrate the sector’s resilience, creativity, and innovation.

“We are proud to celebrate the individuals and companies that have made an outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry – particularly Toby, whose incredible story and achievement serves as a reminder of the transformative impact that the hospitality industry can have on people’s lives.”

As a leading charity supporting the growth of the hospitality industry, Springboard is committed to celebrating and promoting the achievements of the sectors stars – and the annual Awards for Excellence provide a platform to do just that. The charity helps disadvantaged and unemployed people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of society to fall in love with hospitality, leisure, and tourism and gain the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to flourish in a lifelong career within these industries.

Springboard has recently celebrated completing its Springboard to 2022 mission, supporting more than 10,000 people, including Ukrainian refugees, care leavers, and those with mental and physical health conditions, into jobs within the hospitality sector.

View the full list of winners.