The Southampton region's top hospitality professionals were recognised at the 2025 Hospitality Awards, a prestigious event organised by The Southampton Region Hoteliers Association highlighting the dedication and talent that drive the city region's vibrant hospitality sector within the past year.

Held on 28th February 2025 at Hilton Southampton - Utilita Bowl, the event, hosted by The Podcast Lady and presenter of The So SO Show, Zoe Hanson, brought together over 150 hospitality professionals. Nine outstanding winners were announced from a pool of exceptional finalists across various categories.

20 hospitality students from South Hampshire College Group, Eastleigh College, gained invaluable hands-on experience at the event by supporting the kitchen and front-of-house teams, guided by the Hilton Southampton - Utilita Bowl and college lecturers.

113 nominations were collected over a six week period in the autumn, with members of the Southampton Region Hoteliers Association putting forward their esteemed colleagues, managers, and establishments.

Mario Martinisi, Chair of the Southampton Region Hoteliers Association said: "113 nominations shows the incredible dedication within our hospitality community. These awards aren't just about winners; they're a testament to the value our peers, employees, and employers place on every nominee. The fact that our sponsors faced such a difficult decision in choosing winners from the finalists, truly showcases the amazing talent and high standards within our region's hospitality sector. By celebrating these achievements, we're shining a light on the rewarding careers hospitality offers, inspiring the next generation to join our vibrant industry. 

Congratulations to the winners, finalists and those nominated!"

The Award Winners on the night, chosen from three finalists for each category were:

Community Award
WINNER: Hilton Southampton – Utilita Bowl

Sales & Revenue of the Year Award 
WINNER: Sarah Banks from Leonardo Hotels Southampton

Chef of the Year Award 
WINNER: Simon Hartnett from New Place Hotel

Rising Star of the Year Award 
WINNER: Ellie Harding from Southampton Harbour Hotel

Operational Excellence of the Year Award
WINNER: Holiday Inn Express Southampton M27, Jct 7 Team

Top Team of the Year Award
WINNER: New Place Southampton Maintenance Team

Manager of the Year Award (Sponsored by Fire Group)
WINNER: Iwona Kowalczyk from Novotel & ibis Southampton

Lifetime Achievement Award
WINNER: Jon Eggett from Holiday Inn Southampton-Eastleigh

Outstanding Achievement Award 
WINNER: Carly Jackson from Holiday Inn Southampton-Eastleigh

The not-for-profit awards raised £3,590 for the charity FareShare Southern Central. FareShare is the UK’s leading food redistribution charity, harnessing the power of food to change lives. From a base in Totton, FareShare Southern Central provides food to over 150 charities and community organisations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, as well as parts of Dorset and Wiltshire, helping support people and communities in need.

Simon Ryan, Regional Manager at FareShare Southern Central said: “We are so grateful to everyone at the Southampton Hoteliers Hospitality Awards for their support for FareShare. The donations made from this year’s Awards event will go a long way to helping us get more food to more local communities and people in need. Every day, the food we redistribute to over 150 charities across the region helps to strengthen communities and change lives. From homelessness shelters and afterschool clubs to refuges and older people’s lunch clubs, these groups are all working harder than ever to bring people together through food and help them access essential support services. Thank you to everyone who attended for giving so generously and helping FareShare make the food go further.”

About the Southampton & Region Hoteliers Association

The Southampton and Region Hoteliers Association are a collaboration of accommodation and venue providers from across the Southampton region. Established in 1956, it aims to promote the city as a great place to work, visit and enjoy, whilst sharing best practice for the benefit of the industry and help nurture the hospitality and leisure workforce of the future.The Hospitality Awards aim to promote the regional hospitality industry and the association by celebrating success and outstanding achievements. 

About the Awards

2025 is the sixth Hospitality Awards with the aim to promote the regional hospitality industry and the association, by celebrating success and outstanding achievements.

https://www.southamptonhoteliersassociation.co.uk/southampton-hospitality-awards/