Shining stars from across the North East hospitality industry have been celebrated at the North East Hotels Association Excellence Awards.
Around 400 leading lights from the region’s hospitality industry gathered at The Fed in Gateshead, as 11 awards were presented at a glittering ceremony.
Hotel Indigo in Newcastle and Stockton’s Hampton by Hilton were the biggest winners, picking up two awards each.
John Lambourne-Richardson of Hampton by Hilton Stockton was crowned Inspirational Leader and the hotel also received the Community Award. Katrina Spiteri of Hotel Indigo won the Service Excellence prize, while colleague Emma Kiddell received the award for Support Services.
The Culinary Excellence award went to the Grand Hotel Gosforth Park and INNSiDE by Melia Newcastle received the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable accolade. Abby Ellliott of Jesmond Dene House won the Warmest Welcome prize, Malissa Charlton of Malmaison Newcastle took the trophy for Sales Excellence while Sandra Hay and the Housekeeping team at Mercure George Washington Hotel scooped the Cleanliness prize.
The awards were also an opportunity to recognise emerging new talent within the industry, with Clinton Douglas of the Maldron Hotel Newcastle named Rising Star, while Kylie Carruthers of Bailiffgate Hotel in Alnwick took the Newcomer prize.
NEHA is one of the largest regional hotel associations in the UK and was founded more than three decades ago. Today, it comprises around 50 leading hotels across Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham and Northumberland. Its mission is to raise the profile of the region’s hospitality industry – and along with showcasing what the region has to offer, NEHA acts as the voice of the sector to challenge decisions which could have a negative impact and ensure the concerns of its members are heard.
The annual Excellence Awards have become one of the highlights of the Association’s calendar, with the winners chosen by a private panel of industry experts and hospitality leaders.
Every year the NEHA awards seems to get bigger and better and 2026 has exceeded all expectations,
said Anna Wadcock Co-chair of the North East Hotel Association.
The entries this year were exceptional and our panel of judges had a very hard task selecting winners from an incredible mix of hotels and the people which make them shine.
We are delighted to be able to recognise the stars of this industry and it’s fantastic to see our members all come together to celebrate the wonderful work within this sector and give those who excel and go above and beyond, the credit and praise they so deserve.
This year’s award ceremony has been made possible thanks to support by a host of businesses. These are: Experience North East England, North East Chamber of Commerce, Nearby, RDA Limited, Ringtons, Fishers Services Ltd, Roberts Family, Alkimii, Expedia Group, SOS Group Ltd, Trustgenie, Blueline, SPARK EPoS, Gateshead College, Direct Global, WGC, Business Wear Direct and Newcastle International Airport.
Full winners list:
- Service Excellence: Katrina Spiteri – Hotel Indigo, Newcastle
- Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable: INNSiDE by Melia, Newcastle
- Inspirational Leader: John Lambourne-Richardson – Hampton by Hilton, Stockton
- Sales Excellence: Malissa Charlton – Malmaison, Newcastle
- Rising Star: Clinton Douglas, Maldron Hotel, Newcastle
- Community Award: Hampton by Hilton, Stockton
- Warmest Welcome: Abby Elliott – Jesmond Dene House, Newcastle
- Culinary Excellence: Grand Hotel Gosforth Park
- Support Services: Emma Kiddell, Hotel Indigo, Newcastle
- Cleanliness: Sandra Hay and the Housekeeping Team – Mercure George Washington Hotel
- Newcomer: Kylie Carruthers – Bailiffgate Hotel, Alnwick