I have always had mixed feelings about the value of awards, mainly because I have never won any myself.

Yes, there is a lot to be said for recognising talent, hard work, innovation and all of those other many factors that go into making something a success.

If done properly awards can be a great asset to a deserving pub or individual that has been handed such an accolade. They can then use it to their advantage to gain column inches and in turn more trade.

A case in point is Mahdis Neghabian of the Camden Eye in North London. The 31-year-old was named BII Licensee of the Year on Tuesday and widely praised for turning a pub around so that it is now making 20 per cent extra year on year.

A great success story, and a well deserved winner. Hats off, thumbs up and a big well done all round.

However, the same can not be said of another BII Award that was handed out, or rather not handed out on Sunday.

In a shocking example of a corporate power trip, sponsors Diageo refused to give the Scotland BII Award for Bar Operator of the Year to winners BrewDog. This is despite the fact that an independent panel of judges had picked them and the trophy had been engraved with their name on it.

Instead they tried to hand it to another pub team, which, in what must have been a very embarrassing situation all round, refused as it was clear they were not the first choice.

For whatever reason Diageo didn’t want BrewDog, a company that is never shy of an opinion on the big boys of the drinks world, to win the award.

Unsurprisingly, it has backfired dramatically.

Judges whispered to BrewDog that they were the winners, the bullied and embarrassed BII apologised, and Diageo had to admit that it had made an almighty balls up, though the words they used were more along the lines of ‘we made an error of judgment’.

Too bloody right they did.

But the apology is all too late. The damage was done by the individuals who made that call at the awards. BrewDog have made sure everyone knows what happened, and can you blame them?

The problem is not just that Diageo wanted to pick its winner but that the entire thing can devalue awards to the point that people will wonder if they mean anything at all.

Corporate sponsorship and advertising is much needed by groups such as the BII and indeed by media companies such as ourselves. But if the lines become blurred integrity is lost and everything you strive to achieve becomes meaningless.

It’s a very sad day when the best in the business are deemed unworthy winners of an award because the sponsors have a problem with them.

Matt Eley is the editor of Inapub