National Pubwatch has awarded Rita King with an Award of Merit in recognition of her professionalism and commitment in supporting the pub and hospitality sector and her efforts to raise standards and promote partnership working.
An Award of Merit recognises the contribution of individuals to the safety of the late-night economy.
King currently works as Honorary Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG), a role she has held since November 2022.
She currently manages the events programme for the APPBG, working with MPs and Peers and industry, facilitating opportunities for debate and discussions on matters affecting the beer and pub sectors, including Government policy on regulation and taxation.
She is also Secretariat to the Cross Party Groups on Beer and Pubs in both the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament, working in partnership with Members of the Senedd and Scottish Members of Parliament.
Previous to that she has worked in a number of roles in the sector promoting best practice and supporting the pub sector.
She was joint Chief Executive of the Safer Business Network (SBN), where she led and developed a number of Business Crime Reduction Partnerships across London. She was responsible for building strong partnerships with local government, the police and other organisations to enhance and develop the work of SBN in local communities.
As Local Partnerships Director at The Portman Group King also had a role in the strategic direction of the organisation. She grew the status and role of the Local Alcohol Partnerships ensuring they became a key source of practical and operational expertise in evening and night-time economy issues.
She also previously worked as deputy director of Pubs and Leisure at the British Beer and Pub Association, a high-profile public affairs and policy role, which involved lobbying MPs, Peers, MSPs, WAMs and MEPs on a range of issues of importance to the industry.
Rita King said: “It is a great honour to receive the National Pubwatch Award of Merit and I would take this opportunity to thank the National Pubwatch Committee. I am proud to have worked with National Pubwatch throughout my career and have seen first-hand the hugely positive contribution that local Pubwatches make to their local communities.”
She added: “My six years at the Portman Group working with National Pubwatch and other industry supported schemes on the Local Alcohol Partnerships Group were among the most rewarding of my career and I am pleased to continue to support them through my work with the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group.”
National Pubwatch chair Steve Baker said: “Rita King has been a strong supporter of National Pubwatch and local pubwatches for many years. Her dedication to the sector and partnership working has made real change and impact in making the night-time economy safer.
“The National Pubwatch committee were unanimous in wanting to recognise her great contribution to the industry.”
The award took place at the National Pubwatch Awards held in the House of Lords on 21/10/25; an event sponsored by JD Wetherspoon.
