Hospitality, restaurant jobs, waiting jobs, bar jobs, hospitality career, general manager

Progression and Succession at M&B - From General Manager to Operations Manager

Progression and Succession at M&B - From General Manager to Operations Manager

Amandeep Chahal our consultant managing the role
Date posted: 22/03/2023

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.

List #1

Some articles you might like

electric kitchen at m&b with three chefs smiling
Embracing the Future: Electric Kitchens at M&B

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/28/2024

Summary

At M&B, we're on a bold sustainability mission with an ambitious goal: reaching Net Zero by 2040. Our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is driving innovative changes across our oper

Teaser

Find out more
Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

man walking into all bar one smiling
Got your A-level results? Here's what to do next

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/28/2024

Summary

So, the day is finally here! You've opened that envelope, and checked those results online, and whether you’re jumping for joy or feeling a little lost, one thing's for sure – your next chapter i

Teaser

Whatever your long-term goals are, starting your journey at M&B could be a stepping stone in the right direction.

Find out more
Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

graduate smiling at their computer
What is a Graduate Scheme and when to apply? Your guide to launching a successful career

Teaser

Graduate

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/28/2024

Summary

What is a Graduate Scheme? At Mitchells & Butlers, our Corporate Graduate Schemes are all about you and your growth. We have a great variety of schemes and each one is personally tailored to fit

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

two females standing in front of a lake with head touches on
Why a HR apprenticeship was Lauren's best career move

Teaser

Apprenticeship

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/22/2024

Summary

At Mitchells & Butlers, we are committed to developping our people and are proud to offer our employees the opportunities to be #ReachingNewHeights in their careers. One way to seize the opportu

Teaser

Find out more
Steven Miles

by

Steven Miles

Steven Miles

by

Steven Miles

image of rich from m&b
From summer job to Head Office: Rich's journey at M&B

Teaser

Head Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/09/2024

Summary

Meet Rich, one of our many success stories at M&B, whose journey from a temporary summer role to a key position in our head office is nothing short of inspiring.  What started as a short stint in

Teaser

Find out more
Sophie Dawson

by

Sophie Dawson

Sophie Dawson

by

Sophie Dawson

chater siblings at m&b
Celebrating National Sisters Day: Stories of sibling bonding at M&B

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/05/2024

Summary

What is National Sister Day? National Sisters Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate that special bond with your sister, whether she's your best friend, your biggest rival, or a bit of both!  Thi

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

yorkshire green landscapes with a bridge and sunset
Embrace a Fulfilling Career in Hospitality in Yorkshire: Celebrating Yorkshire Day

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/30/2024

Summary

What is Yorkshire Day and when is Yorkshire Day? Yorkshire Day is an annual celebration dedicated to the historic county of Yorkshire in England. It takes place on August 1st and was first celeb

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

Rebecca Houseago

by

Rebecca Houseago

shake off browns colleagues
From Awards to Adventures: Dive into the exciting rewards and incentives at M&B

Teaser

Culture

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/26/2024

Summary

Looking for a hospitality gig that's more than just a job? At Mitchells and Butlers (M&B), we're all about making work fun, rewarding, and full of opportunities! We've got amazing perks like a 33

Teaser

Find out more
Bex Snook

by

Bex Snook

Bex Snook

by

Bex Snook

sarah and lou - international friendship day
Celebrating International Friendship Day: The Beauty of Meeting Your Best Friend at Work

Teaser

Life at M&B

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/26/2024

Summary

Friendship is one of life's greatest treasures, and there's no better time to celebrate it than on International Friendship Day. While many of us think of friends as those we meet during childhoo

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

bar staff mixing cocktails in a bar
How to get a bar job with no experience

Teaser

Bar and Waiting

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/16/2024

Summary

So, you want to get a bar job but have no experience? No worries! Everyone has to start somewhere, and getting your foot in the door of the bustling bar industry is easier than you might think. 

Teaser

Find out more
Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

Jobs

Jobs you might like...

Chef

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Harvester - Buccaneer, Fareham, PO14 1NS

Departments

Chef

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Harvester

Location

Fareham

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 the B

Reference

2282833

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Waiting Staff

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Harvester - Poachers Cottage, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8AA

Departments

Waiting Staff

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Harvester

Location

Stoke-on-Trent

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 Waiting Staff

Reference

2282824

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Shift Supervisor

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Harvester - Poachers Cottage, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8AA

Departments

Shift Supervisor

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Harvester

Location

Stoke-on-Trent

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 Shift Superviso

Reference

2282822

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
 

job search