Annual Pride of Greene King Awards event celebrates winners and team members from across the Bury St Edmunds-based business

Bury St Edmunds-based brewer Greene King enjoyed a gala night of celebration to crown the stars from its pubs, breweries and support centres.

Comedian and presenter Zoe Lyons hosted the annual Pride of Greene King Awards at Voco in Solihull yesterday, which was attended by 200 Greene King team members and livestreamed to all of the brewery’s 40,000 employees.

There were 11 awards and entries were scrutinised by a panel of judges which included the winners of last year’s awards and the Greene King executive board.

Winners on the evening included John Malone and Liam Hancy from the brewing and brands sales team and Heidi Ketteridge, an administrator in pub partners, all based at Greene King’s support centre, Abbot House, in Bury St Edmunds.

John and Liam picked up the Best Brand Ambassador Story award. They were recognised for their passion and enthusiasm for engaging with customers and teams across Greene King to build relationships and win hearts and minds for the brewer’s new premium beers.

They also launched a new cask ale policy to its pubs, delivering an ‘outstanding performance’.

Heidi was awarded the Best Team Player Story award and was recognised for consistently going above and beyond to support her colleagues and improve processes.

Heidi was additionally instrumental in organising and supporting charity events for the Pub Partners team, resulting in raising over £50,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Nick Mackenzie, Greene King CEO, said: “Hearing the incredible stories of our team members going the extra mile, embracing our culture, living our values, and caring about our customers, communities, and teams, is truly inspiring.

“Given the high quality of all our nominations and finalists, there were no easy decisions when it came to selecting the winners.

“It was an evening full of pride and celebration and I would like to thank and congratulate all our finalists.”

A new addition to this year’s awards was the CEO Excellence Award which acknowledged a team whose efforts demonstrated Greene King’s purpose to pour happiness into lives and show its values.

The winner of this was Greene King’s social mobility team, who were praised for their dedication and drive to support people into careers in hospitality and for the difference they made to individuals as well as communities and society.

The winners on the night included:

Best Customer Story Award – Carol Field, Assistant Manager at The Royal Hotel, Ross on Wye – Destination Brands & Ventures

Best Leadership Story Award – Ryan Allan, Area Manager, Greene King pubs

Best Community Story Award – Keith Newby, General Manager at The Station, Hove – Greene King pubs

Best Change Story Award – Steve Hilditch, IT Team, Group Operations

Best Team Player Story Award – Heidi Ketteridge, Administrator – Pub Partners

Best Environmental Story Award – Reena Ward, Back of House Team Leader at the Chequered Flag, Corby – Hungry Horse

Brand Ambassador Story Award – John Malone & Liam Hancy, Brewing & Brands Sales Team

Best Digital Story Award – Pub Digital Leads Project Team, Group Operations

Best Macmillan Story Award – Sheila Sayles, Front of House Team Member at The Chapel House, Low Moor – Greene King pubs

Best Outstanding Contribution Story Award – The Hungry Horse Pegasus Team – Destination Brands and Ventures

Best Standout Story Award – Nicola McGuinness, Operations Manager – Greene King pubs

Best CEO Excellence Story Award – The Social Mobility Team, Sustainability Team