Wolseley and Ivy founders Corbin and King made Industry Icons

The accolade was announced at a presentation lunch following Peach Network’s annual 2020 conference in London, this week.

“The Icon trophy goes to individuals who have made a lasting and positive impression; people who inspire, innovate and set the standards,” said Peach Network’s founder Peter Martin. The reputation and influence of this year’s winners reached far beyond London and the UK, but was truly international, he added.”

The award was judged by a group of fellow industry leaders, all of whom are previous Icon winners, and supported by Coca Cola, Royal Bank of Scotland, Coffer Corporate Leisure and the National Skills Academy for Hospitality.

In acknowledging the achievements of Chris Corbin and Jeremy King, Tony Hughes, formerly managing director of Mitchells & Butlers Restaurants and now a director of the The Restaurant Group, said: “These two guys have been doing what they do for over 30 years. They have grown up in the business right from the start of their working lives; they’ve built on success to the next success to the next.

“What I really like about them is that they have taken English and British food at a time when it wasn’t highly regarded and have consistently delivered excellent quality - and done it absolutely a 100% every time. They’re in their restaurants every night, touching tables, talking to the guests. They are pure restaurateurs and I think an inspiration to anybody in our industry. The restaurants that they’ve created are genuine icons, too. I’m a huge fan.”

The presentation to the pair was made by Ian Neill, chairman of Wagamama and Peach Factory, parent company of Peach Network. The previous Icon winner said: “One of the things that had helped them create businesses of enormous stature is their attention to detail, the fact that they are in touch with what’s going on. They’re in touch with their customers, they can instantly read whether its working or not.”

Hughes and Neill, were joined on this year’s Icon judging panel by other past winners, Caffe Nero chairman Gerry Ford and Novus Leisure chairman and industry investor John Barnes.

In accepting the award, Jeremy King told the audience of industry executives that he and Chris Corbin were “touched and humbled”. “We don’t usually win awards. Thank you very much.”

See www.thewolseley.com

The event also saw six Hero awards presented, with McDonald’s, Wetherspoons, Carluccio’s, Jamies Italian, Novus Leisure and Bill’s Produce taking away trophies. See McDonalds and Wetherspoons head this year’s Hero Award winners

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