Be ready for what's next - Finn, General Manager

 

WHITBREAD has given me chances I never imagined and the backing to make the most of them.

 

I joined as a Team Member at my local Beefeater. At the time I was young, with a small child and I just wanted a good job I could balance with family life. What I found was a company that spotted potential in me before I saw it in myself. Step by step, I was encouraged to take on new responsibilities, sometimes in roles I didn’t think I was ready for. Each time, there was someone in my corner saying, “You can do this.”

 

Over the years I’ve run restaurants, led big teams, looked after budgets the size of which would once have terrified me and even managed hotels in central London. I’ve had sideways moves, secondments and even invented a role that didn’t exist before. That variety has been invaluable. It’s taught me that I don’t have to have all the answers on day one – I just need to be willing to learn and Whitbread will give me the support to succeed.

 

I think that’s what sets this business apart. In hospitality, there are lots of companies you could work for, but here you’re coached, trained and recognised at every stage. You’re never just left to sink or swim. I’ve completed qualifications, attended leadership courses and been part of projects that took me across the country. Some of those opportunities felt daunting at first – travelling to support new restaurant launches, stepping into more senior roles – but looking back, those were the moments that shaped me.

 

Recognition is another big part of it. I’m competitive by nature, I like to aim high and the WIN card scheme taps into that perfectly. There’s nothing quite like seeing your hard work reflected back in results and knowing your efforts are celebrated across the business.

 

For me, that recognition is personal. I’m one of 7 children and I’ve always wanted to stand out, to be seen. At Whitbread, I do feel seen for who I am and what I bring. My background’s never been a barrier. I’ve proven myself through experience, and I’ve always had managers and mentors who believed in me.

 

What I love most now is the balance between freedom and backing. I get to run my restaurant my way. I’ve got the strength of a big business behind me. That combination is rare.

 

Whitbread has even become a family affair: my sister is doing her apprenticeship with Premier Inn, and my daughter now works in one of my restaurants. I think that says it all.

 

Want your GM career to be a bit less ordinary? Check out our jobs here…