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

by Stuart Tucker | Nov 1, 2019 | Alumni 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.
 

Other news stories

Case study: leading hotels establish a partnership approach to nurture talent with Apprenticeship in Hospitality Scotland

 This forward thinking hospitality organisation demonstrates what can be achieved when hotels work together to develop the next generation of Scottish talent. Apprenticeship in Hospitality ScotlandDate 2018Region ScotlandSize 50-249 employeesSector Hospitality...

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...

Case study: investing in training to drive up standards, quality and sales at George

Four years ago, clothing retailer George at Asda identified an issue with quality control checks in overseas factories that were costing the business time and money. To tackle the problem and improve the existing processes, they worked with City & Guilds on a training...

Celebrating community radio champions who are investing in skills, inclusion and opportunity

Across the UK, community radio stations play an extraordinary role — not just in broadcasting, but in transforming lives. On World Radio Day we wanted to spotlight four of the outstanding radio stations that have been recognised through our Princess Royal Training...

40 organisations to receive royal recognition at this year’s Princess Royal Training Awards

Major UK businesses including RBS, Barclays, and Waitrose have been joined by a women’s refuge and an ambulance trust in being commended by Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne for their commitment to training and skills development. The Haven Wolverhampton, which...

In the press: The Donkey Sanctuary receives royal recognition for employee training

The Donkey Sanctuary has been commended by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal for its inspirational commitment to the learning and development of its staff. This is the second time the charity has received royal recognition for its work. It was among 48 UK...

In the press: Project supporting North Walinan people in recovery from substance abuse and mental illness scoops major award

A PEER MENTORING and employment project for North Walian people in recovery from substance abuse and mental health conditions has won a major award. Cyfle Cymru – which is led by rehab charity CAIS – became one of only a handful of Welsh organisations to receive a...

In the press: Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma honoured with Princess Training Award 2018

The Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma (MIALD) has been recognised by the 2018 Princess Royal Training Awards. Designed to develop management and leadership skills, the programme has been awarded for its commitment to training and the positive impact it has...

The Princess Royal and City & Guilds Group honour outstanding workplace training in 2019

HRH Princess Anne, President of City & Guilds Group, recognises 44 organisations with 2019 Princess Royal Training Awards Recipients shared compelling, irrefutable evidence of how training has directly influenced business results Multiple winners across areas...

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Maintaining a robust process: A new generation of Ambassadors strengthening the Princess Royal Training Awards

This year the Princess Royal Training Awards celebrated their eleventh year, and the programme continued to go from strength to strength, with 132 applications received from organisations committed to delivering exceptional learning and development.

Delivered by the City & Guilds Foundation, the Awards remain a unique, evidence-based programme that recognises and celebrates the strategic impact of learning, development and training within organisations. Applicants must demonstrate excellence against three Hallmarks of Excellence, evidencing why training was chosen to address an organisational challenge, how it was implemented and the impact it had on both the organisation and its people.

Reflecting the increasingly global nature of workforces and training provision, this year we expanded their eligibility criteria to include organisations delivering training both within the UK and Ireland, and internationally. This development recognises the contribution of organisations with overseas operations that had previously been unable to participate.

Award-Winning Impact: How P Flannery’s Skills Bootcamps are tackling the construction skills gap and building an inclusive skills pipeline

When P Flannery Plant Hire received a Princess Royal Training Award in 2025, it recognised a bold, employer-led approach to tackling one of the construction industry’s most persistent challenges: a critical shortage of skilled plant operators. Through the development...

Celebrating award-winning apprenticeships with The Princess Royal Training Award recipient, National Theatre

This week, Her Royal Highness visited the National Theatre to celebrate its pioneering apprenticeship programme, recognised with a 2024 Princess Royal Training Award (PRTA) and a special Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Commendation. The additional DEI...

How Liberty Kitchen is using skills to unlock potential and productivity

When Liberty Kitchen received a Princess Royal Training Awards in 2025, the recognition went beyond a training initiative. It provided a powerful example of how opening access to skills can support rehabilitation and create wider benefits for individuals, communities...

Celebrating community radio champions who are investing in skills, inclusion and opportunity

Across the UK, community radio stations play an extraordinary role — not just in broadcasting, but in transforming lives. On World Radio Day we wanted to spotlight four of the outstanding radio stations that have been recognised through our Princess Royal Training...

A decade of excellence: Royal recognition for UK and Irish organisations honoured at the Princess Royal Training Awards

The Princess Royal Training Awards are the UK and Ireland’s premier awards programme for recognising training excellence. On Tuesday 2 December, in an awards ceremony at Fishmongers Hall, the City & Guilds Foundation had the honour of recognising 56 outstanding...

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...

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

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.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This