Hydes Brewery unveils series of internal promotions

Hydes Brewery has bolstered its team through a series of internal promotions as the hospitality sector continues to face tight labour conditions.The Salford brewer and pub operator said its focus on progression is now a central part of its growth strategy, with several long-serving employees moving into new roles across its tenanted and managed estates.

Business development manager Stephen Jackson, who joined Hydes as a general manager in 2015, moved into his current post after roles in operations, training and marketing. 

Jackson was involved in the reopening of the Friendship Inn in Fallowfield during the pandemic before taking on a head office role supporting the tenanted estate.

Jackson said: “I have been able to build a career here because the business gives people the chance to grow. Every move I have made has been supported by the right training and encouragement. Hydes backs people who want to develop, and that is why so many stay.

“Hydes have been extremely supportive from everything between initially joining as a new general manager, achieving qualifications, furlough and then being open to progression into roles with open conversations and career path planning.”

He added: “A decade ago, I never thought I would be in a strategic managerial position but hospitality is not just one role and working for Hydes has enabled me to choose my own direction.”

Further promotions have taken place across the business. Former Pack Horse general manager Dave Beswick now oversees operations at twelve pubs, while several deputy managers, many of whom began as bar staff, have stepped up at sites including the Abel Heywood in Manchester and the Crown in Cheadle.

A number of long-serving assistant managers have also taken on general manager roles. They include Iain Craig at the Bulls Head in Lymm, who has worked at Hydes for almost twenty-five years, Colin Macdonald at the John Millington, Carys Babbage at the Crown Inn, Mel Milligan at the James Watts and Niamh Kenny at the Plough.

Hydes said its training programmes – which include structured learning, personal tutors and an apprenticeship scheme offering recognised qualifications – are central to supporting development and retention. Completion bonuses are offered at different apprenticeship levels.

Managing director Adam Mayers said: “In hospitality, staff turnover can make it extremely hard to deliver the consistency and quality our customers expect. By promoting from within and backing our people, we build stability, safeguard our future, and ensure that our pubs remain places of great service and continuity.

“Hydes’ internal promotion drive demonstrates that, even in a sector still wrestling with very high churn, it’s possible to create career pathways and retain talent.”

Hydes, based at Media City, supplies beers across the UK and runs more than forty pubs in the North West and North Wales.