Be her now - Hayley, Regional Operations Manager

 

AT 16 I was just looking for a job. What I found was something much bigger: a place where I belonged, where people cared and where there was always another opportunity to learn and grow. That sense of belonging has stayed with me through every stage of my career here and through raising four children along the way.

 

What makes this business different is its openness. You don’t have to fit a certain mould. What matters is your willingness to learn, your drive to succeed, and your ability to work with people. In return, Whitbread gives you space to explore, to grow, and to become the best version of yourself.

 

I’ve taken on roles at high profile sites that gave me exposure, others that developed my skills, some that stretched me in ways I never expected. Other times I’ve been part of building something brand new, recruiting a team from scratch and creating a culture from day one. That variety has been priceless. I’ve been able to ask myself at every stage: what will I get out of this, and what will I give back? And every time, the answer has been something that’s shaped me both as a leader and as a person.

 

Being a busy mum, flexibility has always been essential. I’ve been at the school plays, I’ve been there for the milestones, because this business allows me to be both a parent and a leader. The truth is, hospitality doesn’t always have that reputation, but here the balance is real. This business flexes around you, just as you flex around it.

 

The best thing about working here is simple: the people. At all levels, there’s a culture of wanting to succeed, of wanting to be the best you can be. You see it in the General Managers who are proud of every plate of food they serve, and proud of the teams they lead. You see it in the way colleagues back one another, celebrate one another, and keep raising the bar together.

 

As a Regional Operations Manager now, what excites me is the difference I can make in other people’s careers. I get to see managers growing into leaders, teams thriving, restaurants buzzing with energy. I love the autonomy of the role, the chance to focus on what matters most for my patch, and the variety that still keeps me learning every day.

 

I feel lucky, honestly. Lucky to be part of a company that has given me a career I love, alongside a family life I treasure. Lucky to still feel, all these years on, that same sense of belonging I felt at 16.

 

Ready to start your Whitbread journey? Click here…