The UK’s largest independent hotel group has launched a Management Trainee Programme to maximise the development of future talent – having welcomed its first candidate on the inaugural two-year course.
Since it was founded in 2020, Bespoke Hotels has grown to represent over 90 properties throughout the UK and has seen consistent growth to manage over 5,000 hotel rooms, 6,000 employees and £525m of assets.
Aimed at leaders of the future who are passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences, the Management Trainee Programme is geared towards candidates who want to gain commercial insight and learn what goes on behind the scenes in hotel management. With only five candidates accepted a year, the standard is high for applications with benefits to match.
On being the programme’s very first candidate, Paul Woodhouse said: “I’m excited to be part of the programme with Bespoke, especially as its first candidate. I’ve been working in the hospitality industry for a while with lots of experience in food and beverage roles so to be able to experience the whole spectrum of hospitality management responsibilities is amazing. It’s been such a positive journey so far and I can’t wait to see where this leads.”
For Paul and future candidates, their programme will be individually tailored to maximise their development. Across the two-year programme, candidates get to experience everything from front of house roles such as reception and reservations through to operational functions including purchasing and management accounts. In addition, Bespoke Hotels will support them to achieve their CTH (IoH) Level 4 Diploma in Advanced Hospitality Management.
On the inaugural candidate getting underway, Thomas Greenall, CEO of Bespoke Hotels, said: ”Over the next 24 months, Paul will contribute to various projects across the business including some time spent at our head office in Warrington and at some of our fabulous hotels. Our trainee management programme has been created to inspire future development of our team and is an exciting opportunity for successful trainee managers to take the next step on their career pathway.
“The programme is open both internally and externally and every programme is tailor-made to suit the individual’s development needs. We take a maximum intake of only five candidates a year, so it really is an exclusive chance for potential leaders of the future to develop and grow while learning on the job. We’re looking forward to inspiring Paul and further trainee managers on future intakes over the years to come.”
There are still places available on this year’s intake for the programme. Interested applicants should either currently be at a managerial position in a four-star hotel or have recently graduated from a recognised hospitality management qualification. For more information, or to submit an application, email Ellie Nuttall, Bespoke Hotels HR Manager on enuttall@bepokehotels.com