John Hyde, Executive Chairman of HIT Training Ltd receives CBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours

HIT Training’s John Hyde, his colleagues, staff and customers have additional reasons to celebrate an already successful 10^th year, with the announcement that John has been recognised in Her Majesty’s 90^th Birthday Honours list this Saturday (11^th June) with a CBE for his services to Apprenticeships in Hospitality and Care.

Traditionally awarded twice a year, at New Year and on the occasion of the Queen’s Official Birthday in June, the Honours’ system recognises people who have made achievements in public life or committed themselves to serving and helping Britain. The Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) which John will be presented with at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace later in the year, is awarded for services in the Further Education and Training Sectors.

>>> Read: New HIT Chef Academy tackles chef shortage at the grass roots

John said: "I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of all my staff at HIT and other colleagues working to deliver apprenticeships and upskill the country. The satisfaction for me is seeing employees in the hotel and catering sector gain skills, confidence and competence through their apprenticeship to improve their life chances and earning potential. The hospitality industry has changed beyond recognition

Close Message - I might contribute in the future

I love what you do, let me contribute right now

in the last thirty years with a phenomenal rise in UK-trained Michelin starred chefs, rise of fine dining, gastro pus and exciting new culinary offerings. The catering apprenticeship providers and further education colleges have provided the trained chefs to meet this expansion and I am proud to have facilitated the training of over 200,000 apprentices through HCITB, Hospitality Plus and now HIT (Hospitality Industry Training) and Connect2Care."

John has over 30 years’ experience in worked-based learning for the Hospitality Industry, including instrumental roles in the foundation of the work-based learning trade association for the largest training providers in the UK, and the establishment of two of the most successful providers in the sector. The most recent, HIT Training Ltd, the largest supplier of training and apprenticeships in the Hospitality and Care Sectors, celebrated its 10^th anniversary in May.

Since the company was co-founded in 2006 by John (now Executive Chairman) along with Managing Director, Jill Whittaker, it has steadily grown and has supported more than 100,000 learners and apprentices at over 22,000 employer sites.

For more information on HIT Training, please visit: https://hittraining.co.uk/

Small Contribution. Big Impact.

The Staff Canteen has always been more than a website—it’s a community, built by and for hospitality. We share the wins, the challenges, the graft, and the inspiration that keeps kitchens alive.

We believe in staying open to everyone, but creating this content takes real resources. If you’ve ever found value here—whether it’s a recipe, an interview, or a laugh when you needed it most—consider giving just £3 to keep it going.

A little from you keeps this space free for all. Let’s keep lifting the industry, together.