Spirit rolls out graduate trainee scheme

The scheme, which fast-tracks graduates into general manager positions within 12 to 18 months compared to the standard three to five years, will appoint 20 graduates to work across the company's key brands such as Chef & Brewer, Taylor Walker and Fayre & Square in September.

Spirit's human resource specialist, Sam Walsh, said: “Spirit is leading the industry in terms of training and developing through work based learning and qualifications. In the last 12 months we have launched successful apprenticeship schemes for both our team players and team leaders through to developing a Masters degree in Multiple Retail Leadership."

“This graduate scheme is a natural evolution and supports our strategy to appoint and develop high calibre people to operate and work in our pubs.”

Chelsea Potter​

Clare Smith, now general manager at Taylor Walker pub The Chelsea Potter in London, was the first graduate from the trial to be appointed general manager. She took on the position following 12 months of training, which she started after completing a course in Business Management and HR at Edinburgh Napier University.

She said: "I have worked in bars since I was 19 years old and always wanted to make it my career. While I was working at the Spirit owned Shakespeare in Edinburgh city centre I heard about the new graduate trainee programme and jumped at the opportunity to be part of the first intake.

“The course hasn’t disappointed as I’ve learnt so much about the pub retailing industry from how to run a pub through to property portfolio investment. And now I’ve landed my first general manager post at a fantastic traditional Taylor Walker pub in the heart of London; life couldn’t be better.”

You can find details of other job roles at Spirit Pub Company here​