Jeremy Allen Award 2021 – winner announced

The Institute of Licensing and Poppleston Allen Solicitors were delighted to announce Andy Parsons as winner of the 2021 and 10th annual Jeremy Allen Award for excellence in licensing through his work within the Home Office.

Andy Grimsey, Partner at alcohol licensing firm Poppleston Allen, presented the award to Andy Parsons at the Institute of Licensing National Training Conference and commented:

“This is a thoroughly deserved award win for a man who has dedicated almost 36 years of his life to being a civil servant. From coordinating the implementation of local alcohol action areas back in 2014, reviewing and amending Licensing Act training modules for an initiative by the Institute and the Home Office, and, of course, his involvement in relaxing the rules for Off-Sales under the Business and Planning Act, he has always been proactive and receptive. Given that the Jeremy Allen Award recognises excellence in licensing, and particularly partnership working, Andy Parsons is a truly deserving award winner.”

On collecting his award, Andy commented:

“A career highlight for me was the two phases of the local alcohol action areas program in which I helped to support many local areas across England and Wales in tackling alcohol harms. I see this award as recognition of the work I did with people at the sharp end and would like to thank everyone who wrote very kind words in support of my nomination. Thank you”.

The Jeremy Allen award is a tribute to the life and professional career of Jeremy Allen, founding partner of Poppleston Allen. Jeremy became a highly respected and well liked person within the industry through his commitment to partnership working and best practice in licensing. Sadly, shortly after becoming Chair of the Institute of Licensing, Jeremy passed away.

Nomination for the award comes from third parties and is open to anyone working within licensing and related fields. This in itself is a tribute to the individual nominated as they are put forward by colleagues in recognition of their professionalism and achievements. The award recognises and awards exceptional licensing practitioners.

Criteria for the award can be found on the IoL website and is also detailed below:

The award is a tribute to excellence in licensing and will be allocated on the basis of practitioners who have made a notable difference by consistently going the extra mile. This might include:

a) Local authority practitioners in positively and consistently assisting applicants by going through their licence applications with them and offering pragmatic assistance / giving advice.

b) Practitioners instigating mediation between industry applicants, local authorities, responsible authorities and / or local residents to discuss areas of concern /to enhance mutual understanding between parties.

c) Practitioners instigating or contributing to local initiatives relevant to licensing and /or the night time economy. This could include for example local Pubwatch groups, BIDS, Purple Flag initiatives etc.

d) Practitioners using licensing to make a difference.

e) Regulators providing guidance to local residents and / or licensees.

f) Practitioners involvement with national initiatives, engagement with Government departments /national bodies, policy forums etc.

g) Practitioners provision of local training / information sharing.

h) Private practitioners working with regulators to make a difference in licensing.

i) Responsible authorities taking a stepped approach to achieving compliance and working with industry practitioners to avoid the need for formal enforcement.

j) Regulators making regular informal visits to licensed premises to engage with industry operators, to provide information and advice in complying with legal licensing requirements.

k) Regulators undertaking work experience initiatives to gain a more in depth understanding of industry issues or industry undertaking work experience initiatives to gain a more in depth understanding of regulatory issues.

l) Practitioners embracing and developing training initiatives / qualifications.

m) Elected councillors promoting change within local authorities / industry areas. Showing a real interest and getting involved in the licensing world.