Property - Asset Management

"Joining Mitchells & Butlers was a bit of a whirlwind experience as I initally applied for an operations role on the Corporate Graduate Programme. However, it was the first year that the Portfolio Department chose to provide a graduate placement and as such I joined this Department rather than a specific function. The Portfolio Department consists of numerous large departments, including Building Management, Acquisitions, Estates, Asset Management, Location Planning and an element of Strategic Planning, all of which are headed by individual directors.

My time with Mitchells & Butlers is approaching four years and after an initial induction process that included a week’s induction with the other graduates in my year, then a 4-week pub placement, followed by a 3 month placement in Asset Management, I jumped into a maternity cover position in Acquisitions based out of the head office in Birmingham. This was swiftly followed by a great opportunity to cover a mini-district as an RBM as part of my development. Upon completion of this I was appointed to my first substantive position c.13 months after joining the company. After a further 13 months, I then moved into the Asset Management Department in the role of Portfolio Manager for the Restaurant Group.

I have been in this role for nearly 2 years now and am responsible for developing and implementing the capital plan for 3 of our core Restaurant Group brands (some 335 businesses), working together with my colleagues in Operations, Building Management, Finance, HR and Marketing. This has proved to be an extremely challenging role, but one which is very rewarding. In addition to this, I am also completing a Diploma in Surveying with the whole-hearted support of Mitchells & Butlers.

Mitchells & Butlers is a dynamic organisation and has plenty of opportunities for development as well as enjoyment. You just have to get out there and grab them!"

"Having studied an MSc in Criminology at Loughborough University and gained two years experience as a Project Manager I decided that I was ready to focus my career upon an area I found more interesting.   The world of property had always fascinated me and as a result of my experience in project management I had become increasingly keen to pursue a career as an Estates Surveyor within Estate/Asset Management.

Upon deciding that Property and more specifically Asset Management was the career for me, the next and most important step I needed to take was of course to find the right company.  Originally, I was looking for an established surveying firm where I could undertake the relevant training and gain suitable work experience that would enable me to ultimately gain professional status.  I was therefore somewhat surprised when a colleague suggested Mitchells & Butlers as an option.

However, upon meeting the Mitchells & Butlers HR team it was clear that the organisation offered exactly what I was looking for; I could undertake 2 years of training whilst covering ‘real job roles’ with significant responsibility. Furthermore, the organisation was also prepared to fund my attendance on an RICS accredited part time degree. 

I then investigated the organisation further and was particularly impressed by both the volume and quality of pub and restaurant brands that Mitchells & Butlers operates. When coupled with the excellent training opportunities available, I realised this was a great opportunity and therefore took the decision to join the organisation’s Corporate Graduate Programme in 2005.

Since joining I have worked in numerous areas, such as the Estate Management team where I was responsible for assisting the department in the day to day management of its existing property portfolio.  During this placement I dealt with a wide range of issues including neighbour disputes, attending planning appeals and also the sale of existing pub sites.  Other placements included covering the North West Acquisitions Manager’s job role for a period of 8 months, which gave me a great deal of responsibility. With the assistance of colleagues in the team I was successful in negotiating and acquiring a site for conversion to Toby Carvery during this time.  My general responsibilities were to identify sites for acquisition and negotiate with land owners in order to secure a purchase. 

As well as the in house placements I have also attended and passed an RICS accredited degree in Real Estate Management which was funded by Mitchells & Butlers. As a result of this, I am now in a position to take my Assessment of Professional Competence which will enable me to gain professional surveying status.

At the end of my initial 18 months with the company I was successful in securing a permanent role as a Franchise Estate Manager.  Within this role I am now responsible for the day to day management of all property issues relating to a portfolio of pubs leased to entrepreneurs across England, Wales and Scotland.  This role requires me to work closely with a number of Franchise Operation Managers and also the Director of Franchise. Overall, it represents a great opportunity to develop both my professional surveying skills whilst also continuing to work closely with the operators who actually run the businesses.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the past 2 years with the organisation and feel that I have been given a great opportunity to gain valuable experience and training within an organisation and industry that is both dynamic and interesting.  I have been supported throughout my training period and have achieved everything I set out to when I joined 2 years ago.  As a result, I am looking forward to the challenges my new role will bring and can see myself continuing to work within the organisation for many years to come.

I would thoroughly recommend that anyone considering a career in property should seriously consider MAB before looking elsewhere."

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