Mitchells & Butlers HR team were recognised last week, when scooping two titles at the National HR Distinction Awards evening.

Held at Birmingham's Hilton Metropole, the HRD Awards celebrate innovatively designed and executed HR strategies that contribute to outstanding business results. The HR team at Mitchells & Butlers went into the night with high hopes after being shortlisted in three categories.

In the Early Career Employment category, the M&B Apprenticeship Programme came away as best in the country. This was only topped when it was announced Mitchells & Butlers had been recognised as the 'Overall Best Place to Work' at the HRD Awards, a prestigious award chosen exclusively by the judging panel, based on the employer's performance and demonstration of creating a great place for their people to work.

Speaking about taking home the evening's top award, Mitchells & Butlers HR Director, Susan Martindale; "I am extremely proud of our team and the commitment from across Mitchells & Butlers in creating a great place for our people to work. Delivering our People Strategy requires a huge contribution and input from the wider team so to see this recognised externally is both rewarding and a real testament that we are doing the right things for our people."

Learning and Talent Development Director, Jan Smallbone, commented on winning the Early Career Employment award; "Mitchells & Butlers are spearheading the drive to showcase the range of careers available in hospitality retail, so this award is incredibly important.

For us apprenticeships are not a numbers game - this award recognises the huge effort that has gone into creating the quality of our programmes right up to degree level, and will support our campaign to raise awareness among parents and teachers that our offer is not only comparable to the traditional University route, but is more likely to deliver a sustainable career."

Mitchells & Butlers were also shortlisted for awards in the Employee Engagement and Experience category, as well as the category for Leading Transformational Change.