From Lecture Halls to the House of Commons: My Journey to Winning ITT’s Student of the Year

I’m incredibly proud (and still slightly in shock!) to share that I’ve been named Hospitality and Catering Student of the Year by the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT).

The awards ceremony was held at the Houses of Parliament, which honestly made the whole experience feel pretty surreal. It was such a special evening, surrounded by industry professionals, students, and leaders who all share a genuine passion for hospitality. To be recognised in that space was an honour I’ll never forget.

My degree in Hospitality Business Management with Marketing at Leeds Beckett has played a massive part in shaping who I am, both personally and professionally. Throughout my time at university, I threw myself into every opportunity I could find, from academic projects and placements to building real-world marketing campaigns.

One of the most defining moments for me was during the entrepreneurship module, where I developed and launched my own business Brimstone Marketing. What started as a coursework concept quickly became something much bigger. With the support of my course team and a real drive to make it happen, Brimstone became a creative space where I could bring together everything I’d learned: brand strategy, content creation, digital storytelling, and apply it not just to hospitality brands, but across multiple industries.

Although my academic background is rooted in hospitality, the core of what I do through Brimstone is helping businesses (of all kinds) connect with their audience in a way that feels real, purposeful, and current. From lifestyle startups to local independents and growing service brands, I’ve had the chance to work on all kinds of projects, each one unique, and each one shaped by that blend of marketing knowledge and hands-on experience.

Receiving this award from ITT has felt like a real moment of reflection. It’s about more than just one evening, it represents the energy, effort, and passion I’ve put into every part of my uni journey and my business journey too. I’m proud of the work I’ve done, and even more excited about what’s next.

If you’re a business looking for support with marketing that makes sense, that feels like you, and that actually gets results, Brimstone is here for that.