Start date: September 2025
Location: Dunstable, Hybrid, minimum 3 days per week in the office
Application closing date: 15th November 2024 with Assessment Day to take place in January 2025. Please note we may close the advert earlier than the listed date depending on the number of applications we receive. Therefore, it is encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Whitbread is a leading British FTSE 100 company and is the name behind the UK's favourite budget hotel chain Premier Inn, and beloved restaurant brands like Beefeater and Brewers Fayre. We continue to innovate and have big growth plans in the UK and internationally, including Germany & the UAE.
About the Role:
Our Finance Graduate Programme is designed to develop your finance expertise and commercial acumen. From day one, you’ll work in a business-critical role at our offices in Dunstable and throughout the programme you’ll experience three different rotations across our Finance function, enabling you to gain a breadth of experience and a deep understanding of our business.
Alongside your practical work, we’ll sponsor your study towards a professional accounting qualification (you’ll have a choice of either CIMA/ACCA/ACA) and support your personal growth with mentoring, peer support, and leadership training. You’ll be part of a wider graduate community, developing strong working relationships and supporting each other as you navigate the start of your career. Once you have finished your rotations and exams on our Graduate Programme you can expect to be a fully qualified accountant progressing into a junior leadership role in Whitbread.
At Whitbread, we believe in a collaborative and inclusive culture where everyone can thrive. Whether you’re getting involved in our inclusion networks, organising team events, or playing a key role in one of our workstreams, you’ll have the chance to make a real difference to both our business and our customers.
Who We’re Looking For:
We're looking for graduates who want to be future Finance leaders in our business. You’ll need to be analytical, highly numerical, and able to dive into data and draw insights that will impact our commercial success. Strong communication and relationship-building skills are essential, as you’ll work closely with teams across the business to influence and support decision-making.
You’ll be:
• A recent or current graduate who is passionate about building a Finance career and looking to make an impact at the UK’s largest hospitality company where you’ll use your commercial acumen to drive guest satisfaction and support our ambitious growth plans.
• Confident in communicating and with the ability to influence others including senior stakeholders.
• Comfortable with numerical and analytical work, you’ll be able to look beyond the surface and dive into the detail, drawing out data driven analysis and conclusions. You will make an impact on the commercial success of the business from the very start of your career with us.
• Whitbread welcomes applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK. For our roles, you'll be asked to provide evidence of your right to work during the application process, and you must maintain and be able to demonstrate your right to work throughout the period of employment. Please note that Whitbread is unable to provide sponsorship for our graduate roles, as they do not meet the eligibility requirements imposed by the Home Office.
What We Offer:
• Starting salary of £34,000 per annum, with salary increases as you progress and pass your professional exams.
• Rotations across various Finance roles to broaden your knowledge and experience.
• Study support for CIMA/ACCA/ACA qualifications, including funded exams and revision leave.
• A range of benefits, including up to 10% annual bonus, BUPA healthcare, pension, and 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Discounts of up to 60% on Premier Inn stays and 25% off at our restaurant brands.
• Access to our Sharesave scheme with a 20% discount on Whitbread shares.
• Hybrid working with a minimum of three days expected to be in the office.
• Mentoring, peer support and leadership training.
What’s Next:
The first step is to submit an application the role, if you meet our criteria you’ll be invited to participate in an online assessment which includes a video interview and some games-based assessments which are designed to evaluate your potential as well as your numerical skills and cognitive ability. Successful applicants will be invited to our Assessment Day which will take place in January, where you’ll have the chance to come and get to know us better, showcase your skills throughout a variety of assessments, and learn even more about this exciting opportunity at Whitbread.
We believe that everyone is unique and there should be no barriers to entry and no limits to ambition. We are committed to being an inclusive organisation that values diversity and welcomes your application whatever your background or situation. Under-represented groups such as women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities & members of the LGBTQIA+ community (those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans and non-binary or those who use a different LGBTQIA+ term), are strongly encouraged to build a career with us. Speak to us about workplace adjustments, part-time and flexible working. Where possible we will support this. #LI-SF1
We believe that everyone is unique and there should be no barriers to entry and no limits to ambition. We are committed to being an inclusive organisation that values diversity and welcomes your application whatever your background or situation.
Under-represented groups such as women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities & members of the LGBTQIA+ community (those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans and non-binary or those who use a different LGBTQIA+ term), are strongly encouraged to build a career with us. Speak to us about workplace adjustments, part-time and flexible working. Where possible we will support this.
Job ref: 18543-4493
Advertised: 08 Oct 2024
