Climbing the Ranks: A Q&A with Hospitality Manager Apprentice Henry Wilkinson
At Umbrella Training, we love seeing our apprentices thrive in the hospitality industry. Today, we’re sharing the inspiring journey of Henry Wilkinson, who is currently working as Deputy General Manager at The Frogmill, Cotswolds, while completing his Level 4 Hospitality Manager Apprenticeship.
Q: Henry, what drew you to a career in hospitality? Did you have any prior experience before starting your apprenticeship?
Henry:
After leaving school, I fell into hospitality, so I could get boots on the ground in the working environment. I started in an Irish Pub in my hometown of Bath. I enjoyed it straight from the off. I stayed there for a few months and joined the company I work for now. I have climbed the ranks within this company and have been an apprentice completing my first apprenticeship and then moving onto my second, which I am completing now.
Q: What excites you most about working in hospitality? How has this apprenticeship shaped your long-term career goals?
Henry:
I love the fact that I get to meet new interesting people every day and have the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life. I hope to one day become an operations manager and build my career further worldwide.
Related Content: Step-By-Step guide to training hospitality managers
Q: Can you describe your role and responsibilities as an apprentice Hospitality Manager? What skills have you learned, especially in food and beverage management?
Henry:
I am a deputy general manager at The Frogmill, Cotswolds my role involves general management of the business, ensuring we have everything we need to operate on a day to day basis along with working with my general manager to ensure we are looking far ahead into the financial year and push us to go above and beyond our budgeted targets.
Q: How do you balance your learning with the fast-paced environment of hospitality?
Henry:
It all comes hand-in-hand, you don't realise what you are learning onsite until you sit down for your monthly class and learn the theory behind it. Studying what you are exposed to makes it far more interesting. I use my one day a week allowance to keep up with my studies.
Explore More: Level 4 Hospitality Manager Apprenticeship Overview
Q: Have you faced any challenges during your apprenticeship? How did you overcome them?
Henry:
Definitely! Sometimes the business requires more attention than you expect, and I’ve had to work longer hours than planned. But honestly, the hard work is worth it. There’s nothing like the feeling of hitting a target or having a team that trusts you. For example, after a challenging week, I was able to sit down with my GM and say, "We hit £100K in net sales!" That was a huge moment for me.
Q: How has your apprenticeship helped you develop leadership and decision-making skills?
Henry:
It has not been an easy journey; you have to make tough decisions and handle difficult conversations, but this only adds to your portfolio as a rounded leader. I am more comfortable leading a team now that I have done it for a few years. It is something that takes time to get used to and develop into. Everyone can be a good leader so long as they truly care about what they are doing. A time that stood out to me was when we were hosting the Brakspear Pubs' annual awards at the flagship for the company, we had all eyes on us from our CEO to top business owners across the estate, the team all came to and we delivered exceptional service with a tough prospect ahead of us.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years, and what advice would you give someone thinking about a Hospitality Manager Apprenticeship?
Henry:
I would like to say, retired, sipping a mojito with my feet up on a beach in the Bahamas, but that is a long way off yet. I would like to either be running my own events venue or be an operations manager for a business and helping GMS meet their budget and drive businesses to perform well. The key is to keep your head down and crack on, hard work is something that will always pay off.
Q: How has working with Umbrella Training supported your development during your apprenticeship?
Henry:
Umbrella is very good at supporting you and ensuring you are meeting your deadlines, they are a caring business that only wants the best for their apprentices. I would recommend them to anyone looking for an apprenticeship.
Interested in Hospitality Management? Start Your Apprenticeship with Umbrella Training
Final Thoughts
Henry’s journey at The Frogmill, Cotswolds and his progression through his apprenticeship are a great example of how practical learning combined with strong mentorship can shape a successful career. His dedication, hard work, and ambition will no doubt take him to great places in the hospitality industry.
If you’re ready to take your hospitality career to the next level, get in touch with us at Umbrella Training today to see how we can help you achieve your career goals.
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