Hall & Woodhouse spends £200,000 on people programmes

2 July, 2012

Brewer and pub operator Hall & Woodhouse says it has invested £200,000 in its people over the last financial year, including a new Academy for staff.

The Hall & Woodhouse Academy has become the company’s centre for staff training and development since launching last year. It has created schemes including an introductory ‘Ways of Woodhouse’ programme and an ‘On Stage Excellence’ initiative to improve productivity and profitability. The spend is more evidence of the increasing emphasis on people and training across the pub sector.

Hall & Woodhouse has also partnered with Bournemouth University to encourage staff to follow a degree course in business and hospitality management. Mazen Ayash, manager at the company’s St Stephen’s Tavern, said of the degree: “It has provided me with a great opportunity to develop my skills and learn new ones, all of which help me in my day to day duties. I’ve also met some great people from different parts of the company.”

Chris Stagg, head of operations at Hall & Woodhouse, said: “We have such a strong family ethos here at Hall & Woodhouse and this is reflected in the way we look after our people. We recognize the importance of training in running a successful business and take interest and pride in the development opportunities we offer our staff.”