M&B teams up with Beer Academy

Mitchells & Butlers and the Beer Academy have announced a staff training programme as the pub operator revealed encouraging half-year results.

600 M&B staff will undergo the Beer Excellence training scheme with tutors from the Beer Academy.

The programme is designed to give the new “Beer Ambassadors” all the tools and knowledge they need to pour the perfect pint every time and pass their training on to other staff across the group’s venues.

The course also covers every aspect of beer production and quality control as well as how to taste beer and match it with food.

Rachel Evans, drinks quality manager for M&B, said: “This initiative has been designed to ensure that Mitchells & Butlers remains at the forefront of industry excellence in service.

“We have worked with the Beer Academy to create a bespoke programme for our staff. Each ambassador will continue to champion beer within our pubs and amongst their teams thereby enhancing both the customer experience and our service and standards.”

Simon Lewes, business development manager at the Beer Academy, told the drinks business that pub operators were beginning to recognise the need for greater understanding of beer in all its forms and how it can be used.

“Beer is becoming more and more important,” he said. “The real aim of the course is to highlight the strength and depth of the category.”

Meanwhile, M&B second quarter results were released last week, showing a 1.8% growth in like-for-like sales, with sales of food up 4.3% and drink up 0.3%.

Adam Fowle, chief executive, said: “The business continues to trade well and we are pleased with the progress made in the first half with improved sales and margins leading to an increase in operating profits and profit before tax of 12.2% and 55.3% respectively.

“These results underpin our confidence in our strategy of increasing shareholder value by reshaping Mitchells & Butlers around its key food-led brands.”

Rupert Millar, 25.05.2010