Open To… Journey Takers

Meet Lorna Robinson

Our Estates Development Training Manager

I’m 20 years into my Whitbread career, and every day still feels like a school day (in the best possible way).

I joined as a receptionist at Premier Inn out of necessity to find a new job back then, but it’s become so much more than that. Having a career that has touched so many different parts of the business has been so valuable to my development.

I’m very passionate about sharing my story. People think you’ve just walked into this job, but actually it’s about showing that it’s accessible for everyone if you put the work in.

My journey has been made up of so many memorable moments. My top one would have to be being given the opportunity to become a General Manager of my own Restaurant all those years ago in 2005. I’d only been with the business for 5 years, and it felt like a really huge achievement for me at that time. People saw that I had the ability to do it, and that’s a great feeling. That became the real unlocking of my career.

All along my journey, Whitbread has presented me with opportunities, which I’ve gladly taken. They’ve really helped my career, and there’s been a lot of stepping stones along the way. Working incredibly hard has meant I’ve unlocked different possibilities, and I’ve taken my career to places I’d never even imagined. 

There’s so many strands to Whitbread, and so many areas to work within. It’s exciting to think I might be doing this job today, but in a few years, it could be something completely different. It makes you feel excited that you can work towards a different role in a different department. If you wanted to branch out and go somewhere else with your journey, you’d be supported to make that move. 

I’ve learnt so much in 20 years. Things that I never would have done 20 years ago are part of my day-to-day now.

There are so many things I’m capable of doing because of Whitbread, and that’s the same for so many members of the team. We’re constantly striving to move forward. It’s never about standing still. I like the challenge of trying to do different things and do them better than before.

We are Whitbread and we are #OpenToYou. Join us here.