 Name: Toby Cowan
Degree: English Literature and Sociology
Role: Retail Business Manager (RBM)
"Having studied English Literature and Sociology at Manchester University I wanted to apply for a
certain type of graduate programme. I was looking for a successful blue-chip company, which could
offer me the best possible business and commercial training. However, I also wanted to work in an
exciting and varied environment which would provide an opportunity for me to be mobile and would
ensure I was doing different things all the time. Finally, I wanted to be afforded genuine
responsibility from a very early stage.
I had enjoyed working in pubs and bars throughout my time at university and I always felt that they
were interesting and exciting places to be. I was familiar with a number of the Mitchells & Butlers
brands and so when I came across the Mitchells & Butlers Corporate Graduate Programme, I was
immediately curious. I soon realised that this was a company who could offer me all the things which
I was looking for.
I joined Mitchells & Butlers in October 2005 as a General Management Graduate and have since carried
out a number of different roles within the business. The pub placement at the start of the scheme was
great fun and gave me the opportunity to learn exactly how we operate at business level.
I then moved to our Head Office in Birmingham and spent 2 months in the Finance Department, before
spending 3-4 months at a time in Marketing, Human Resources, Risk & Compliance and Business
Productivity.
During my time in Marketing, I was involved with last summer's World Cup Marketing campaign across
around 140 pubs. This role involved me liaising with Britvic and initiating and implementing a soft
drinks incentive for the Managers of all the pubs in the brand.
Whilst in my HR placement, I helped open two newly converted sites which were part of the recent
Whitbread acquisition. I also carried out project work on kitchen capability across the Pubs & Bars
division, focussing on the continued drive on food throughout the business. This culminated in me
presenting my findings at the HR Executive in front of the Managing Director, HR Director and
Divisional Directors.
I am now coming towards the end of the scheme and have just taken on my first Retail Business Manager
(RBM) role. As an RBM I will be responsible for the success and profitability of around 15 pubs,
working with the managers on a day-to-day basis and reporting to the Retail Operations Director.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the graduate scheme and am very excited about what the future
may bring at Mitchells & Butlers." | 
Corporate Graduate Scheme - Degree qualification of 2:1 or higher standard in any discipline
