Bob Bennett is the winner of the Jeremy Allen Award 2016. James Anderson from Poppleston Allen and Daniel Davies, Chairman of the Institute of Licensing announced the Bob as the winner of the award, an ongoing tribute to Jeremy Allen, at the Gala Dinner on Thursday 17th November at the IoL's 20th National Training Conference.

Unfortnately Bob was unable to attend the Gala Dinner, but Daniel Davies read out an acceptance speech on his behalf:

"I really was both surprised and humbled to be nominated for this special award. I would like to thank everybody that supported my nomination but also for their willingness to work within the various areas of licensing to provide together the best and safest services and licensing environment we jointly can.

Truthfully I have never thought that what I do, or the way I do it is unusual or doing any more than anyone else. I have always felt that if I have to resort to formal enforcement action that maybe I have failed as I strongly believe that it is much better to work to ensure that all parties involved understand their responsibilities and the importance of good practice.

With so much to cover and also trying to keep updated with what changes are going on within the Licensing industry and small training budgets the bulletins put out by both the Institute and by Poppleston and Allen are both essential and welcome, without them our work would be so much harder and I thank both of the organisations very much

The Licensing team I work in is a small one and includes people who work both part time and across more than one team which, in my view, means that everybody has to go the extra mile. 

Thank you for this award which I will share with both my immediate work colleagues and those in the Police and other agencies with which we work. They are a wonderful team of people that make my working life special.

Daniel Davies, Chairman of the IoL said:

"Bob Bennett epitomises the sort of person that the Jeremy Allen Award was created to recognise. Beginning his career as a police officer and going on to a career as a local authority licensing officer, Bob is widely admired for his work ethic and his knowledge and enthusiasm. He also exemplifies the partnership approach between licensees and police and licensing authorities that the IoL champions. Generous with his time and his down-to-earth advice, Bob’s tireless devotion to duty has helped licensees manage their premises better, raise their standards, and has assisted licensing authorities and police in resolving problems with premises without recourse to licensing reviews. Despite some serious health problems Bob has always returned to work, and at the age of 67 continues to offer sage advice and support to others through his job role Bob is absolutely indefatigable and thoroughly deserves this award. Well done!”

The 2 runners up were Andy Eaton and Elaine Moreton who were presented with their certficates at the Gala Dinner