In the press: Mitchells & Butlers’ kitchen programme gains royal seal of approval

by Stuart TuckerNov 1, 2019Alumni news

Mitchells & Butlers has received a royal accolade for its efforts in recruiting and nurturing chefs to work in its kitchens.

The 1,700-strong pub and restaurant chain set up a ‘Chefs Academy’, offering level 2 and 3 apprenticeships, in response to a chef shortage exacerbated by Brexit.

The programme has significantly boosted kitchen staff retention rates in the business since its launch.

And this week it was presented with a Princess Royal Training Award by HRH Princess Anne in London after being recognised as one of 44 UK-wide organisations delivering outstanding workplace training.

Mitchells & Butlers credits the culinary programme, which includes masterclasses with award-winning chefs, with helping it achieve a 70% retention rate, compared to 12% for chefs in the business not undertaking the programme.

Read the full article on the Food Service Equipment website: https://www.foodserviceequipmentjournal.com/mitchells-butlers-kitchen-programme-gains-royal-seal-of-approval/

Employee experience | How John Lewis & Partners improved staff satisfaction and earned £1.5million

John Lewis & Partners wanted in-store customers to have the same choice and convenience as online shoppers. So they decided to give a digital handheld device to shop floor Partners. If a customer couldn’t find the right size or colour, the Partner could check...

Case study: what achieving an Award means for IBM

In this video IBM Foundation Managers Joel Thomas and Kelly Markwick talk some of the benefits of achieving a 2021 Princess Royal Training Award for their intern programme.

Springhill Hospice recognised by the Princess Royal Training Awards

Springhill’s Education Team has been chosen to receive one of the prestigious awards thanks to the unique programme made to upskill its own staff along with the wider community in palliative care support. Over 800 individuals have completed the free-of-charge training...

In the press: it’s time to give learning and development the royal recognition it deserves

It’s common knowledge that business conditions in the UK today are far from optimal. Employers are faced with economic uncertainty, widening skills gaps and lagging productivity. And what’s more problematic is that these aren’t simple issues to fix – there’s no...

Getting the most out of apprentices – lessons from Princess Royal Training Awards recipients

Taking on an apprentice is a big commitment with big potential. How can you get the most value out of your investment? Some of the UK’s most-respected companies share their advice on finding, training, and retaining the best talent: Recruit far and wide ‘Attraction...

HRH The Princess Royal celebrates best-in-class workplace training in 10th anniversary year for Awards

HRH The Princess Royal, President of the City and Guilds of London Institute, awards employers for outstanding training and skills development programmes which have positively impacted organisations, people and wider society. 15 August 2025: City & Guilds has...

Case study: training colleagues to become digitally savvy at Barclays

In recognition of a changing digital environment, Barclays UK aimed to support colleagues to become the ‘most digitally savvy and inclusive workforce in the UK’ as well as ensuring that customers and communities were not ‘left behind’. What started as an internally...

HRH The Princess Royal visits The Thames Skills Academy

HRH The Princess Royal met members of The Thames Skills Academy (TSA) on 10 May, in a visit showcasing pioneering work to improve safety skills for everyone working on and beside the river. At the end of her tour at Butler’s Wharf, led by TSA’s CEO Katherine Riggs and...

Royal seal of approval for nucleargraduates again

A west Cumbrian training organisation is celebrating after scooping an award that recognises excellence in workplace learning programmes for the second time. Lillyhall-based nucleargraduates is one of only 43 recipients from a range of sectors nationally to be given...

In the press: Princess Royal award win for Northumberland manufacturer Essity

One of Northumberland’s biggest employers, the Essity tissue mill, has won a prestigious Princess Royal Training Award for its apprentice programme – the first ever for a manufacturer in the region. As president of City & Guilds Group, Princess Anne established...

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Most recent

News categories

HRH The Princess Royal discusses the importance of creating aspirations for young people

n this video series, Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive of City & Guilds, talks with our president HRH The Princess Royal about the importance of skills on society, about the role we play as an organisation and about the Awards that we created in her name – The Princess Royal Training Awards – which are celebrating their tenth anniversary.

HRH The Princess Royal discusses the diverse range of Princess Royal Training Award organisations

In this video series, Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive of City & Guilds, talks with our president HRH The Princess Royal about the importance of skills on society, about the role we play as an organisation and about the Awards that we created in her name – The Princess Royal Training Awards – which are celebrating their tenth anniversary.

HRH The Princess Royal discusses the value of City & Guilds to society

HRH The Princess Royal discusses the changing world of skills

A decade of excellence and a room full of inspiration – Princess Royal Training Awards Skills Share 2025

On 30 April 2025, City & Guilds hosted its second-ever Skills Share event – this time at the stunning Goldsmiths’ Hall in London – marking a major milestone: 10 years of the Princess Royal Training Awards. With over 130 Award recipients in attendance, the event was not just a celebration but a forum for shared learning, inspiration and reflection on what a decade of investment in skills development really means.