Thinking about applying to our Retail Graduate Scheme? See where our former grads are now…

Thinking about applying to our Retail Graduate Scheme? See where our former grads are now…

Sophie Russell our consultant managing the role
Date posted: 19/10/2021

You might be reading this and wondering, what exactly is the Retail Graduate Scheme?!

We’ll break it down for you – our Retail Graduate Scheme offers graduates the opportunity to become a General Manager of their own business in around 2 years. They start the scheme as an Assistant Manager, so that they’re able to strengthen the leadership skills needed to run their own pub, bar, or restaurant in no time!

We know we might come across a bit confident here (sorry not sorry!), but the Retail Graduate Scheme really sets our grads up for success. How? Many have now gone on to achieve the impressive milestone of becoming a General Manager of their own business. You don’t have to take my word for it, have a read about Tracey and Jacob’s journey on the Retail Graduate Scheme and see where they are now…

Tracey Kirlew – General Manager of Miller & Carter, Telford

Tracey joined the Retail Graduate Scheme in 2016. She had some previous hospitality experience working at a bar whilst studying for her Business Management degree at University College Birmingham. Towards the end of the scheme, she became a holding General Manager at Miller & Carter in Birmingham, and finally progressed to General Manager of her own business, Miller & Carter Telford, in 2018 - and is still there now! She emphasised that the scheme taught her how to lead and manage a team, as well as allowing her to understand how and when to recognise her team’s hard work.


Jacob Smith – General Manager of Red Lion, Bath

Jacob studied psychology at university in Exeter and did bar work for a couple of months after he graduated. He realised that he enjoyed working within that lively atmosphere, and so he decided to apply to the Retail Graduate Scheme in June 2018. Towards the final stretch of the scheme, COVID-19 hit - but Jacob still managed to land a position as General Manager of the Red Lion in Bath in September 2020.

A year on, he’s proud of the changes he’s made to the business and has been able to put his own stamp on the place! He loves his role as General Manager, but also has plans for progression going forward – which we love to see at M&B!

He believes that having strong interpersonal & organisational skills really helped him to progress to where he is today.

Does the Retail Graduate scheme sound like something you’d be interested in?

You can apply to the Retail Graduate Scheme on our graduate careers page. We have a range of businesses across the UK that offer the scheme - from Scotland down to Bournemouth - so the good thing is that we probably have something to suit your needs. Ready to apply? Check out our top tips on how to smash your grad application.


List #1

Some articles you might like

bar staff making a cocktail behind the bar
Celebrating LGBT+ History month: What it means and how we embrace it at M&B

Teaser

Culture

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

02/10/2025

Summary

What is LGBT+ History month?  LGBT+ History Month is all about celebrating the lives, achievements, and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. It’s a chance to reflect o

Teaser

Find out more
Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

wait staff serving food to guests at M&B with a smile
New year, new job: how to prepare for a job hunt in hospitality

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

02/10/2025

Summary

A new year means new opportunities, and what better way to kick things off than with a fresh start in hospitality?  Whether you're looking to dive into the exciting world of bartending, take the

Teaser

Find out more
Sophie Dawson

by

Sophie Dawson

Sophie Dawson

by

Sophie Dawson

a chef and chef apprenticeship smiling at the camera in the kitchen from behind the pass
What to expect in a Chef Apprenticeship: A year in the life

Teaser

Apprenticeship

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

01/30/2025

Summary

Starting a chef apprenticeship is like stepping into a simmering pot of opportunities, challenges, and learning. It’s a journey that will take you from a curious beginner to a confident kitchen p

Teaser

Find out more
Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

two kitchen managers looking at a computer
5 reasons to bring your Kitchen Manager career to M&B

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

01/27/2025

Summary

At M&B, we’re passionate about helping our team members grow and reach their full potential. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to progress in your career, we provide plenty of training

Teaser

We’ve got the ingredients to help you prep for a successful Kitchen Manager career, are you ready to get cooking?

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

two chefs smiling at each other in the kitchen
New year, new skills: How to master being a chef in 2025

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

01/15/2025

Summary

As we kick off 2025, it’s the perfect time to level up your chef skills and make sure you’re at the top of your game.  Whether you're just starting out in the kitchen, aiming for a more well-roun

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

image of james and amma
How Mitchells & Butlers and Social Bite are changing lives together

Teaser

Company update

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

01/15/2025

Summary

At Mitchells and Butlers, we're all about making a positive impact—not just for our guests, but for our community too.  That’s why we’re super excited to announce our new partnership with Social

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Image of Bar & Waiting Apprentices learning in a team environment
What to expect in a Bar and Waiting Apprenticeship: A year in the life

Teaser

Apprenticeship

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

01/06/2025

Summary

Starting a Bar and Waiting Apprenticeship is like jumping into the spotlight of a high-energy performance!  From the moment you step in, you’ll be part of a buzzing, fast-paced world, where every

Teaser

Find out more
Bex Snook

by

Bex Snook

Bex Snook

by

Bex Snook

chef making pizza
Who are the best chefs in the world? Get inspired to start your own chef journey at M&B

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

01/06/2025

Summary

Ever wondered how the world’s best chefs got their start? Spoiler alert: none of them were born holding a Michelin star.  From peeling potatoes in a tiny kitchen to perfecting dishes that wow the

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Image of chefs working together in Browns Brasserie Kitchen
Could you be a chef? The answer might surprise you

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

12/20/2024

Summary

A chef job isn’t just for those trained at fancy French cookery schools, or those who have been whipping up pastries since before they could walk. In fact, you could become a chef right now –

Teaser

You could be a chef right now – but do you have what it takes? Let's see if you tick any of the boxes here.

Find out more
Emily Smith

by

Emily Smith

Emily Smith

by

Emily Smith

Food planning
5 things you didn't know about a kitchen manager job at M&B

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

12/20/2024

Summary

Kitchen managers are the backbone of any successful kitchen. When everything is going at full speed, they make sure teams stay motivated, organised, and delivering exceptional dining experiences

Teaser

Hear from Andy, a Kitchen Training & Development Manager, about the unique role of a kitchen manager at M&B, where strong team camaraderie, professional development, and career growth are always at the forefront.

Find out more
Emily Smith

by

Emily Smith

Emily Smith

by

Emily Smith

Jobs

Jobs you might like...

Part Time Team Member

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Fox, Menston, LS29 6EB

Departments

Waiting Staff

Hours

Part Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Premium Country Pubs

Location

Menston

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you!  As a Part Time T

Reference

2373520

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Sous Chef

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Beagle, Sproughton, IP8 3AR

Departments

Sous Chef

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Vintage

Location

Sproughton

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! As a Sous Chef at 

Reference

2389489

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Kitchen Team Leader

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Beagle, Sproughton, IP8 3AR

Departments

Kitchen Team Leader

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Vintage

Location

Sproughton

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you! As Kitchen Team Le

Reference

2389488

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
 

job search