Lockdown Training Helps Promote Rising Stars at Herts Pubs

The reopening of pub gardens and outdoor spaces on 12 April meant a long-awaited return to work for team members at five pubs in Hertfordshire and, for some, it has meant they recommence work in a newly promoted position.

As part of The Oakman Group, which was awarded the Princess Royal Training Award for a second time in 2020, the pub teams were all encouraged to take part in adapted training sessions using online and Zoom formats. These enabled them to grow their knowledge and develop their careers throughout the four months of the most recent lockdown which has resulted in them returning to work in newly promoted roles.

At the canal-side pub, Grand Junction Arms, Bulbourne, General Manager, Eammon Borg-Neal has appointed Saskia Andrews to Trainee Assistant Manager. (Pictured above left)

Emily Goldfinch, General Manger at the Red Lion in Water End, has promoted a new Deputy, Ellie Butters, while Laura Johnson has become Trainee Assistant Manager and Nick Gomez, Junior Sous Chef.

Asen Petrov has been promoted to Head Chef at the Kings Arms in Berkhamsted.

Two new promotions at The Akeman in Tring – Fanica Mihalascu becomes Commis Chef and Mihai Popescu a Junior Sous Chef.

Banyers House in Royston has seen General Manager, Rudy Abrantes Jnr, appoint Matt Whitehouse to his new Deputy GM, Katie Roylance to Assistant Manager and Alexis Kaltio to Trainee Assistant Manager.

CEO of the Oakman Group, Dermot King, which has its headquarters in Tring, said: ‘It’s testament to our award-winning training and enrichment programme, and our team’s desire to continually expand their knowledge and skills, that we have been able to promote more than 40 people across 33 of our venues prior to reopening.

‘Realising the potential of our team is key to our ongoing success, and we passionately believe that the people we have working for us, and their skills, knowledge and tremendous attitude, is one of the main reasons so many of our guests – both local and from further away – continue to support us.’

For further details of careers at Oakman, visit: www.oakmaninns.co.uk/careers