beam has announced six finalists for the prestigious Chris Peacock Young Champion of Change Awards. Following an influx of outstanding submissions, Ella Wilson of ACEBookings, Eve Kershaw of Mercure Manchester, Isabelle Osmond of Leonardo Hotels, Lucy Newman of Inntel, Lilybea Taylor of Access Bookings, and Tori Smith of Edgbaston Park Hotel have been selected to join the judges for finalist interviews on 8th January.
2025 is the second year beam has run the award to honour the legacy of Chris Peacock, co-founder of Conference Care and a pivotal figure in beam’s history. Chris was an integral driving force for the association for many years, a true advocate for encouraging the industry’s talent to shine, a champion of the future generation, and a protector of the planet.
This year’s nominations more than doubled, and due to the exceptional calibre of entries, a longer list of finalists for the interview stage by the judges – Andrew Deakin of Conference Care, Michelle Barrett of Melia Hotels, Martin Stephens of Off Limits, and Kaarin Chadwick of Radisson Hotels.
Andrew Deakin, head judge and Conference Care Managing Director, commented: “This year’s overwhelming number of submissions is a testament to the industry’s growing appreciation of young talent. Each entry reflected an inspiring passion and a commitment to making a difference.
“What’s even more impressive is the detail and dedication in these submissions – it’s clear that the finalists understand our industry’s challenges and are stepping up to address them. That’s why, for the first time, we’ve decided to recognise a second and third-place finalist in addition to our winner. It’s a nod to the exceptional talent we’ve encountered this year. Chris would be proud, as we all should be!”
Julie Shorrock, Chair of beam, added: “We’re proud to offer a platform that highlights the incredible achievements of young professionals in our sector – those who demonstrate how we can drive change, whether through sustainability, innovation, or exceptional teamwork. Every one of the finalists is an active contributor to our industry’s future, and I am excited for the Gala Dinner, where we will celebrate their accomplishments and share their inspiring stories with our industry community.”
beam will reveal the winner at its Gala Dinner on 7th February 2024, at The Grand, Birmingham.
