2026 beam Awards

In 2026 we launched the expanded beam Awards, celebrating the best and brightest in the business events, accommodation, and meetings sector. Our awards program has grown from the successful Chris Peacock Young Champion of Change Award to recognise the incredible talent and collaboration across our industry.

This year, we honour those who embody excellence, leadership, and innovation at every level and celebrate the people and teams who are setting new standards and shaping the future of our industry. See our winners below!

The Chris Peacock Young Champion of Change

This award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to their team, company or industry, demonstrating great achievements and initiative in their early career, showing exceptional promise and great future leadership skills.

The Chris Peacock Champion of Change Award Winner: Andriana Kyriakaki, Novotel London West Andriana was recognised as a “true changemaker” for her commitment to creating lasting, positive transformation. Her leadership has specifically reshaped the culture and experience within her hotel and beyond through a focus on accessibility and team development. The panel commended her for leading with absolute clarity, purpose, and integrity.

Runner up: Sarah Lee, arrangeMY

Agency Leader of the Year

This award recognises an agency professional who, in the last 12 months, demonstrated exceptional leadership that positively impacted their team, clients, and the wider industry. This award is open to any agency leader in the industry.

Winner: Nick Scott, arrangeMY

The judges described Nick’s leadership as “exemplary”. This award recognises his wide-reaching and evidence-based achievements, which demonstrated a rare consistency between overarching vision, delivery, and internal culture. By combining strategy and innovation with measurable impact—all delivered with a signature authenticity—Nick has set a high standard for leadership within the agency community.

Runner up: Anna Snoep, Inntel

Second Runner up: Joanne Wilson, ACE Bookings

General Manager of the Year

This award honours those who inspire through action – creating exceptional environments for guests, cultivating inclusive and motivated teams, and driving meaningful change in the events and hospitality community. This award is open to any general manager in the industry.

Winner: Sally Beck, The Royal Lancaster London
Sally was honoured as a “beacon of excellence” and a definitive role model for the hospitality sector. The judges highlighted how her leadership style has cultivated an inclusive and empowered team culture that consistently prioritises innovation. Her ability to steer operations with both heart and purpose has resulted in sustained achievement and service excellence.

Runner up: Varun Shetty, The Belfry Hotel & Resort

Second Runner up: Ioannis Koletakis, Novotel London West

Collaboration of the Year

This award recognises a partnership or project in the last 12 months that delivered tangible results through meaningful collaboration across the events, meetings, or accommodation sectors. This award is open to any industry members.

Winner: Blackberry Events and NAHT – Inspiring Leadership’s Annual Conference

This partnership was hailed as a “masterclass in delivery, purpose, and partnership”. The judges were particularly impressed by the creativity of the collaboration and its meticulous attention to the delegate experience. Beyond the event itself, the project was recognised for having a profound and lasting impact on the education sector.

Tied Runner up: EICC, ABPCO, Welcome Brain, Azura Events, Royal College of Psychiatrists and Meet Cambridge: Neurodiversity in Events Checklist

Tied Runner up: Inntel and Venue Directory: Inntel’s Instant Book Function

Spirit of beam

The Spirit of beam Award celebrates an individual who truly embodies the values and ethos of beam. This award recognises someone who goes above and beyond to support and promote the association, championing our four pillars of resilience, innovation, ethics, and quality. The winner will be someone who actively contributes to the success of beam, engages with the community, and demonstrates a passion for raising standards in our industry.

Winner: Deborah Collins, The Belfry Hotel & Resort

Embodying the core values of resilience, innovation, ethics, and quality, Deborah was celebrated as a “cultural cornerstone” of the industry. The judges noted that her warmth, dedication, and authentic leadership serve as a powerful inspiration to everyone she works with, making her a vital role model for the next generation of rising leaders.

Runner up: Danny Yates, Clermont Hotel Group

Second runner up: Andrew Deakin, Conference Care

beam Awards 2026 Judges

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