At Complete Licensing we are always keen to let our clients know that when they come to us, they work with the best. So, it’s great to be able to underline that assurance with the news that Dave Nevitt, one of our environmental health experts, has received a major award.
Dave joined us after a long and impressive career as an Environmental Health Officer – most of it spent in Westminster, the country’s biggest, most demanding licensing stress area. Now he has been recognised for more than 40 years of outstanding service as a recipient of the Institute of Licensing’s Chairman’s Special Recognition Awards.
It doesn’t get much more prestigious than this in the licensing sector, and Dave’s honour – handed out at the institute’s recent annual gala dinner – came with fulsome praise which recognised his massive contribution to the hospitality industry.
The award was jointly presented by IoL chairman Daniel Davies and London regional chairman Gareth Hughes. The IoL chairman outlined Dave’s stellar career, describing his “tireless work in London’s West End stress area, which is the busiest licensing are in the country in terms of the volume of establishments.”
He added: “Dave has just retired after 40 years’ service at Westminster City Council, arguably one of the most difficult and challenging areas in the country. He served as Senior EHO and has been at the heart of most of the major licensing and planning applications in the city during this period.
“Dave is known for his proactive approach in carrying out his duties both in enforcement against poor operators and a very business friendly approach to good operators. He has always been extremely fair during licensing committee applications hearings and on applications has always presented a neutral or even positive case in support of applicants.
“He possesses a phenomenal knowledge of environmental health and licensing legislation and works with operators to ensure the best possible case can be submitted on their behalf.”
Gareth Hughes also paid tribute to Dave, saying: “Dave has been a fantastic licensing officer for Westminster City Council. His approach has always been very positive and ‘can do’, and he has always treated applicants and licence holders with respect and courtesy, offering advice and support, with enforcement always a last resort. He is firm but fair, and as a result has earned the trust and respect of all who have worked with him. It is an honour to be able to recognise his commitment and dedication to licensing through this Special Recognition Award.”
We at Complete Licensing are delighted and proud that Dave is part of our team, and that he is available to offer the benefit of so much licensing knowledge to our clients. We’re sure that all our clients and associates will join us in congratulating Dave and raising a glass to him.