Progression and Succession at M&B - From General Manager to Operations Manager
Progression and Succession at M&B - From General Manager to Operations Manager
At Mitchells and Butlers, we believe in providing all of our teams the opportunity to grow in their roles with progression and development being a key pillar to everything we do.
In this blog series we will be speaking to some of the inspirational people across the business who have showcased the breadth of opportunity for progression here at M&B both across roles and our 14 unique brands.
In this blog we will be putting the spotlight on Operations Manager David Lawson. Since joining M&B in 2010 as a General Manager, David has worked his way up through the business working across several of our brands including Browns, Sizzling and Castle. David is a great example of how working for a multi brand business such as M&B can set you up for success.
In this blog David speaks to us about his journey at M&B and how he feels he has been supported to create a successful career within hospitality.
What made you decide to join M&B?
I used to run a HaHa bar in Sheffield. In 2010 M&B bought HaHa and I moved across to M&B. I had always been a guest of M&B businesses, so it was exciting to become part of a much bigger company with great opportunities.
Please can you summarise your career at M&B and the different roles
After coming across as part of HaHa my site in Sheffield was remodelled into a Browns. I was General Manager there for about 3 years and then got the opportunity to take over the Leeds Browns site. Leeds was always one of the north flagship sites, so it was great to have a new opportunity. Also, having been living in Leeds during all my time in Sheffield it was great to be closer to home!
I was GM at Browns Leeds for about 3 years in which time I also began working towards my RBM development. I got offered the chance to take on a holding RBM role covering a Yorkshire area for what was the SPOTON brands. I started the role just as the company decided to split SPOTON into Suburban Pubs and High Street. I only had about 4 months under the SPOTON brand, but it was great insight into the role.
When the brand split, I moved onto an RBM role with Sizzing pubs covering Greater Manchester, Preston and Blackpool. I absolutely loved the role!! Whilst it was a little different to Browns (!) the teams were great and incredibly passionate about their pubs and communities – a genuine local feel! After about 18months, the RBM role in my old Browns district came up, and although I was sad to leave, I’d always loved the Browns brand and it felt like the right opportunity to go for. I took on the North Browns district running sites from Birmingham up to Edinburgh/Glasgow. At one point I was even running Milton Keynes and Cambridge all the way up to Edinburgh and Glasgow… dread to think how long I’ve spent on trains!! I was with Browns for 5 years whilst also working on my OM development. In January this year I was offered the chance to do an OM hold in Castle. Another superb brand, which allows me to combine my experience with both drink and food, whilst also offering me the chance to work across the north still, but also oversee some of the companies most iconic pubs in London.
How has your experience across a variety of the M&B brands supported your growth/career progression?
I think this is the beauty of M&B. It is so diverse and there are always opportunities to take on new roles. I certainly feel branching out from just one brand is key. You can gain experience in different areas across the company, getting a feel for pubs, bars and restaurants and allowing you to continually develop your skill set. Learning how different parts of the company work and meeting the various support teams who work across the brands really helps you gain different insight and learn new ways of working.
How has M&B supported you in your career progression?
I was clear when I joined M&B that I wanted to progress up to an Operations role. M&B, and the leadership teams I’ve worked for, have really helped get me there. From district, brand and divisional projects to personal development training, they have always helped support me towards reaching my goals.
What is your favourite thing about working in hospitality?
Cliché answer, but the people! That’s the beauty about working across different brands. We have so many amazing people across the company who are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable and its great to work alongside them.
What would you say to someone considering a career at M&B?
Do it! … There is a fantastic culture in M&B, you will be working with the best people and there are great opportunities to progress.
Where could a career with M&B take you?
If David's story has inspired you to find your next job with us, then what are you waiting for? We have a whole host of jobs that are yours for the taking. Check out our kitchen jobs, bar and waiting jobs or management jobs and take that one step closer to joining the M&B family.
Where could a career with M&B take you?
Or, if you want to learn more about #LifeAtMAB, you can check out our latest M&B blogs.
Receive articles like this
See what we're all about
We're shaping a workplace where everyone thrives. Explore the heart and soul of Mitchells & Butlers by checking out our guiding principles.
Some articles you might like
Teaser
ManagementContent Type
BlogPublish date
12/04/2024
Summary
Thinking about becoming a General Manager? Here’s what you’ll need to succeed The path to becoming a General Manager is as rewarding as it is challenging, but success doesn’t happen by chance. I
by
Laura Kelly
Teaser
CultureContent Type
BlogPublish date
12/04/2024
Summary
At Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), our General Managers are the heartbeat of our business, driving excellence in hospitality and creating unforgettable guest experiences. We believe in celebrating su
by
Rebecca Skeet
Teaser
ManagementContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/28/2024
Summary
Temporary Christmas jobs are a great way to earn extra cash for the holidays while gaining valuable work experience. They offer the chance to build new skills and try out roles like bar, waiting
by
Rebecca Skeet
Teaser
KitchenContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/28/2024
Summary
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to lead a buzzing kitchen team, create memorable dining experiences, and make your mark in hospitality, you’re in the right place. To give you a better ide
by
Laura Kelly
Teaser
CultureContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/27/2024
Summary
As we approach St Andrew’s Day, it’s the perfect time to celebrate not only the rich culture and history of Scotland but also the opportunities available within Mitchells and Butlers. What is St
by
Rebecca Skeet
Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/27/2024
Summary
It’s that time of year again, university students are going back, freshers is in full swing, and so many students are moving across the country! We know that having a pub job at uni is the best
by
Rachel Weaver
Teaser
GeneralContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/22/2024
Summary
In today's busy world of pubs and bars, it's not just about the drinks. What really sets a place apart is how well they treat their guests. At M&B, we believe that every interaction is an opportu
by
Katie Handy
Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/22/2024
Summary
So, you're thinking about a bar job in London? Let me tell you, it's not just a job – it's a lifestyle upgrade! Picture this: every shift is a chance to meet new people, learn new skills, and ex
by
Rebecca Houseago
Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/06/2024
Summary
What is a part-time job?A part-time job is pretty much what it sounds like—a role where you work fewer hours than a full-time position. For anyone looking to earn some extra income, balance work
by
Sophie Dawson
Teaser
ManagementContent Type
BlogPublish date
11/06/2024
Summary
At Mitchells & Butlers, we pride ourselves on the growth and development opportunities we provide to our employees. We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Christian, General Manager of th
by
Rebecca Houseago
Jobs you might like...
Salary
Competitive Salary plus tips
Location
Harvester - Grays, Grays, RM16 6UT
Departments
Chef
Hours
Full Time
Vacancy Type
Other role
Brand
Harvester
Location
Grays
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 Chef at Harve
Reference
2342150
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Competitive Salary
Location
EGO - Penhow, Penhow, NP26 3AD
Departments
Bar Staff
Hours
Full Time
Vacancy Type
Other role
Brand
EGO
Location
Penhow
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 Bar Staff at E
Reference
2342498
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Competitive Salary
Location
Wallace, Coventry, CV6 2JF
Departments
Shift Supervisor
Hours
Part Time
Vacancy Type
Other role
Brand
Sizzling Pub & Grill
Location
Coventry
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 Part Time Shift
Reference
2342420
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Perks of the job...
Love dining out? You'll love it even more with a massive 33% discount across all our brands when you join us. Whether it's date night at Miller & Carter or family roast at Toby Carvery, we’ve got you covered. See what other tasty benefits we offer…
Fancy an
award winning apprenticeship
Ever thought about an apprenticeship? Fire up your career with one of our multi-award winning apprenticeship programmes which are designed to give you the skills to become a hospitality pro.