Training & development

Meet Freddy

Software Engineering Manager – based in Holborn Digital Office

I started with Whitbread in 2016, when our digital function was in its early growth phase. As a developer, I enjoyed the freedom, autonomy and the positive culture. Being part of an agile team was great, and my scrum team was like a family, with a clear roadmap of deliverables.

I work on guest-facing digital projects, as part of the mobile team, working closely and collaborating with the web team on the Premier Inn website.

I enjoy working on projects that have a direct impact on our guests as you can get direct feedback.

My experience within Whitbread has been very positive, with supportive line managers who have helped me grow and develop my career. I had opportunities to develop my career with Whitbread and I chose a role where I now manage my own team. I love working with people and supporting others with their own personal growth.

Meet Justyna

Front of House – Brewers Fayre, The Hampton, Peterborough

I was aware Whitbread offered qualifications, and I was looking for a way to gain a qualification while I was working.

I am studying a Hospitality Level 3 apprenticeship. I’m really enjoying the opportunity to learn while working on site, and I’m now taking on more responsibility. I am also completing my English and Maths qualifications, improving my English and Maths as I go.

One great thing is how flexible my apprenticeship is. I always work afternoons and evenings, enabling me to make sure I’m home for my children, including the school drop-off and when they get home from school. My coach is accommodating, putting in our calls at suitable times and being available when needed.

The apprenticeship has helped with my personal development to step up from a team member to a salaried role in the future. It has boosted my confidence at work. I feel like I could be a manager in the future.

Derwen and Hereward College Training Facilities

At Whitbread we are committed to championing the employment of underrepresented groups.

This means making sure that everyone has an opportunity to work with us, no matter who they are or where they’re from. Derwen and Hereward College work with young people with learning difficulties and disabilities. They provide inspirational learning, development and care to enable the achievement of aspirations which transform lives. Focusing on employability through the teaching of vocational skills, it helps with the development of independent living and social competences Working alongside our supplier Novus Property Solutions, we built two Premier Inn training centres complete with a reception, bedrooms and laundry room on site at both college’s. These centres provide our industry standard training for the students, helping support internships and work placements, which in some cases goes on to become full time employment.

Meet Sanchia

“I joined Whitbread in 2009, when I was 19 and I very quickly realised what an amazing company Whitbread is to work for.

I will forever be grateful for the amount of support and opportunity that Whitbread has given me over the years, particularly early on in my career in helping me grow and develop both in knowledge and confidence to get where I am today.

I learned and developed over the years in various HR roles and in 2017 I took a more personal journey to becoming a mother. As I returned from maternity leave, my dream job of HR Business Partner for the Customer Contact Centre came up and I grabbed it with both hands.

My most rewarding achievement with Whitbread to date has definitely been going back into the Contact Centre as HR Business Partner and being able to bring all of my new skills and experience to the team and make a difference.”

Meet Louise

“I joined Whitbread in November 2009 after closing my small retail business after 10 years I needed to find a job.

A friend suggested I apply for a role in the Whitbread Contact Centre and I soon realised what a brilliant decision I’d made.

I got comfortable in an agent role and moved to the corporate bookings team. My career has gone full circle since 2009, I’m now a Guest Support Manager, I have four Team Managers reporting to me who manage teams of up to 20 Reservation Agents.

I love the noise and buzz of the call centre and the knowledge that no two days will ever be the same in such a fast-paced environment! Most of all I love to see people join us, perhaps like I did, not quite knowing what to expect, and going on to have great careers within Whitbread.”

Meet Emma

“I started working for Whitbread as a General Manager for Premier Inn in 2008.

I had just had my first child and wanted to work for a business where I could build my future career.

Over time, my career progressed, I think I’ve seen nearly everywhere in the UK now with my hard hat and high-viz jacket on and I’ve been involved in some great local initiatives supporting great communities with Force for Good initiatives – I have more litter pickers in my cupboard under the stairs than your average person!”