Investing in growth

Career Growth (Operations to Support Centre)

Molly started with us as a Housekeeper for some extra money while studying at university and then moved to reception. Once she completed her Master’s her Hotel Manager, Adam, told her that there were opportunities at our Whitbread Support Centre. She managed to secure a role as a Paralegal, where she performed so well that the we are now supporting her through a training contract as a Trainee Solicitor.

“For quite a long time it was just a job on the side; I didn’t realise the potential I could have here. It’s a really difficult profession to get into; it’s really hard to land a trainee solicitor role in an external law firm. To be able to get this with a company I’ve already been with for five years is amazing. Getting a part time job at a Premier Inn – you don’t know where you might end up.”

Molly, Trainee Solicitor
General Counsel

Apprenticeship levels 3 and 4

Working at Premier Inn for nine years, Charlotte has worked in almost every role at Premier Inn from breakfast team member to Head Housekeeper. Now a Hotel Manager, she believes her apprenticeships have supported her getting the role she’s in today.

“My hotel manager encouraged me to join the apprenticeship. The fact I could get my qualification in English and Maths was part of the reason I wanted to do it. It made a big difference that I was able to learn at work. I have ADHD and Dyslexia, it doesn’t matter if you have additional needs, Whitbread provides you with the right level of support. As a Head House Keeper I started the apprenticeship Level 3 which taught me situational leadership and how to adapt my learning style. That aspect was really helpful and what I took the most from the course. I am a Hotel Manager now and have done my level 4. I didn’t think I was going to pass, but I got a phone call to find out I got a distinction and I nearly fell off my chair. I encourage all my team to do it as long as they have a clear end plan and know what they want to get from it.”

Charlotte, Hotel Manager, Premier
Inn Birmingham Exchange Square

Progressing into first management role

Liv was looking for progression in the Company, having worked in reception whilst they were studying at university. After completing their studies they decided that they wanted to progress in the business. After talking to their Manager about it they were eager to get onto the ‘Progressing Into’ course to be ready for a Duty Manager role in future. They completed the course last year and a few months later successfully applied for their first management role.

“I joined as a receptionist and it was originally a job to just get me through uni but when I graduated I wanted to progress in the Company. I finished the ‘Progressing Into First Management’ course in May last year and became a Duty Manager in September when a position in the area came up. I got to understand all areas of the business; I picked up so much about working within the restaurant as well as the hotel. The course laid out exactly what was expected of you in the Duty Manager role. I’d recommend anyone who wants to progress to consider the course.”

Liv, Duty Manager,
Premier Inn Birmingham

Work experience

Maura completed work experience with us 18 months ago when she was at college. During her time with us she was able to spend a day in each of the departments at hub by Premier Inn King’s Cross where the team made her feel really welcomed and supported. Then, whilst at university, furthering her studies, she also wanted to continue in employment and reached out to Tom, her Multi-Site Hotel Manager (MHM), and he knew she was the perfect person for his team. She’d demonstrated great behaviours during her week of work experience and she’s now a valued part of the team.

“I got to work in a department each day. It was very different as I’ve never worked before, so it was a great experience. I knew even if I didn’t get a job here, I had more chance of getting one somewhere because I now had experience. I was so nervous and thought I would do really badly, but it went really well. I learnt so much working here, not just with the job but skills like communication, problem solving and teamwork. I really wanted to get a job at hub because I was made so comfortable by everyone. All the team members and Tom, the MHM, were so supportive.”

Maura, Front of House Team
Member, hub King’s Cross

Thrive

When Whitbread first contacted Derwen about partnering, Mary was the student who gave our senior team a tour. Working reception at the college she asked if she could work on our reception, and this led to three months’ work experience at a Premier Inn. Once she completed her work experience she was offered a job as a Reception team member. In June 2025, Mary will have worked at Whitbread for ten years. She said it was a life-changing goal to get the job, which has helped her with her independence, confidence and organisational skills.

Mary, Reception Team Member,
Greenwich Premier Inn

Barnado’s

Warren joined us through one of our Barnardo’s work placements and was subsequently successful in securing a permanent role. He is currently working across two sites as a Maintenance team member and Housekeeper. His Hotel Manager, Charlotte, said: “He was so good there was no way I could not give him a job.”

“I’ve never been closed off to an opportunity, and there was a guaranteed job opportunity at the end. I got to try everything during the work experience including the restaurant. At the end of the work experience I mentioned that I was really interested in the maintenance role and they made sure there was something for me. It’s been mentioned to me some of the qualifications I can get in the role and I will try to gain whatever I can.”

Warren, Maintenance Team
Member/Housekeeping, Premier
Inn Birmingham Exchange