Publicans’ champion is CAMRA’s top campaigner

British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) chief executive Steve Alton has been crowned CAMRA’s Campaigner of the Year at the organisation’s Members’ Weekend in Torquay.  

Steve (pictured) fights for the interests of publicans in Westminster, constantly raising awareness of how pubs are at the heart of their communities. This culminated in the launch of the My Pub initiative in 2023 and the subsequent Our Pub campaign earlier this year, both dedicated to highlighting how locals are vital social hubs with MPs and wider society. 

Steve dedicates his spare time to raise money for charitable causes in the licensed trade, most notably taking part in two of the Pedalling for Pubs cycle challenges, and leading the UK edition, Pedalling to Pubs for the past three years. In 2025, the total raised by these rides topped £1m for industry charities, Only a Pavement Away and the Licensed Trade Charity.  

CAMRA awards director Gary Timmins said: “This year we had a mighty batch of nominations, and it was a pleasure to judge them. Steve has been a prominent voice in the media in recent years, fighting for the interests of publicans by sharing their challenges and taking their voices directly to Westminster. Aside from his work leading a prominent trade association, he also dedicates his spare time to raising money for charitable causes in the licensed trade and is dedicated to promoting safer socialising as a director of Best Bar None.” 

Steve said: “I am honoured to be recognised by an organisation that has been fiercely promoting fantastic pubs and great beer for over 50 years. Alongside my team at the BII I am passionate about pubs, their people and their vital role they play in their communities. As many of our nations pubs face incredibly challenging times, I will continue to do all I can to keep them thriving in every community.” 

The Campaigner of the Year award celebrates a person or group whose campaigning efforts have created positive change for pubs, clubs, cask beer or real cider over the last year. Nominees are judged for their leadership, impact, innovation, commitment and inclusion. More information about CAMRA's Campaigner of the Year award can be found here.  

Runners up were:  

• Russell Gilbert and his team  

• Rob Green  

• Katherine Lilley  

• Dave Pickersgill  

• John Vanderwolfe  

• Ian Webster