Charles Holland Award – And the winner is …

The Institute of Licensing (IoL) is delighted to announce Finley Best as the winner of the inaugural Charles Holland Award 2025, recognising outstanding commitment, promise, and contribution within the licensing profession.

The Charles Holland Award was established in memory of Charles Holland, a highly respected licensing barrister and long‑standing supporter of the IoL. The award celebrates individuals at an early stage of their licensing career who demonstrate exceptional dedication, initiative, and potential to shape the future of the profession. More background on the award is available here.

The Winner: Finley Best

Finley Best has been recognised as a clear and deserving winner of the first Charles Holland Award. A newcomer to licensing, Finley has embraced the subject with enthusiasm and demonstrated total commitment, resourcefulness, and a willingness to learn. 

His sharp intellect and positive attitude make him a valued partner and colleague. He has taken on a regional role with energy and dedication, contributing actively to the Institute of Licensing. 

Peers describe him as motivated, highly competent, and already showing initiative in investigations. His professional response during the nomination process reflected maturity and promise beyond his years, marking him out as an exceptional talent with a bright future in the field. 

The Runners‑Up

Leigh Schelvis impressed judges with his excellence across multiple areas of licensing and his generosity in supporting colleagues at local, regional, and national levels. A legal professional who has chosen to specialise in licensing, Leigh has already contributed significantly to IoL projects and events. His background in the licensed trade — from glass collector to management — gives him a well‑rounded understanding of the sector, complementing his legal expertise.

Connie Starsmore, less than two years into her licensing career, has already excelled through hard work, motivation, and a willingness to learn. Despite entering the field without prior experience, she has quickly established herself as a competent and highly regarded officer among her peers, demonstrating the promise of a bright future in licensing.

Gary Grant, Licensing Barrister and IoL Vice-Chairman, said:

“The Institute of Licensing congratulates all nominees for their achievements and contributions. The Charles Holland Award was created to honour Charles’ legacy and generosity in mentoring younger colleagues, and it shines a light on the importance of nurturing new talent and recognising those who step forward with commitment and passion for the profession.

“Finley is a truly deserving winner of the first award, showing enthusiasm, total commitment, resourcefulness, and a willingness to learn. We also recognise our outstanding runners‑up, Leigh Schelvis and Connie Starsmore, both worthy nominations who reflect the excellence and promise of the next generation in licensing.”