Steve Alton named CAMRA’s top campaigner for 2025

CAMRA announces British Institute of Innkeeping Chief Executive as its Campaigner of the Year.

Chief Executive of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) Steve Alton has been awarded CAMRA’s top campaigning award at the organisation’s Members’ Weekend 2025 in Torquay.

Steve fights tirelessly 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 pubs 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 funds raised by these rides topped £1,000,000 for industry charities, Only a Pavement Away and the Licensed Trade Charity.

Presenting the award to Steve Alton, 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.”

Accepting the award, 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.”

Ends

Notes to editors

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.

For photos of Steve accepting his award, please contact press@camra.org.uk

Runners up for the Campaigner of the Year 2025 were:

• Russell Gilbert and his team

• Rob Green

• Katherine Lilley

• Dave Pickersgill

• John Vanderwolfe

• Ian Webster

About Steve

Steve Alton is the CEO of the BII, joining the independent membership organisation in September 2019. He is also a Trustee of the Skills and Education Group, Trustee of Only a Pavement Away and a Board Director of Best Bar None and raises funds and awareness for industry charities.

A passionate advocate for pubs and the people who make them so special, he has taken part in two ‘Pedalling for Pubs’ endurance cycling challenges, supporting industry charities like the Licensed Trade Charity and Only a Pavement Away, which have now raised over £1million. He also leads the ‘Pedalling to Pubs’ UK Edition challenge, where over 50 riders come together to raise funds whilst supporting brilliant pubs along the way!