Punch Taverns have become the first in the leased and tenanted sector to have introduced a new Regional Launch Manager role to support their substantial pub focus on investments.
Last year, the pub company spent over £40 million in their commitment to investing in their pub portfolio nationwide.
Punch has an annual investment budget of over £45million for 2013 and is committed to ensuring its newly invested sites get off to the best start with the benefit of a dedicated Regional Launch Manager in each of its nine regions across the UK.
The managers will initiate the planning process, co-ordinating site meetings and getting involved in all of the aspects required for a successful pub launch, including the retailer offer and training licensees and staff on customer service. They will work closely with the Partnership Development Managers and utilise Punch Head Office supportive resources, such as in-house design and print, PR and marketing to promote awareness and work with the commercial and catering teams to develop product range.
The team have just completed their induction and are now one month into the role. They will be led by highly experienced retailer Andy Wilkinson.
“The Regional Launch Managers are responsible for the successful delivery of retailing excellence for the pub investment programme and will ensure that the consumer experience is the best within their region. The role ensures that the training, marketing and the general retail offering is implemented in a timely manner and to the standards required to ensure we lead pub retailing within our sector, “said Andy.
David Wigham Operations Director at Punch Taverns explains why the role was created: “With the benefit of feedback from our partners, we recognised the need for this role as our investment programme was growing. I believe we are the first in our sector to take this step in driving up investment launch capability.
“I am delighted by the quality of applicants we have attracted, both from outside the company and within. This has enabled us to quickly establish a very strong team of highly capable and experienced individuals who I expect will quickly add significant value for our pubs and our licensees.
“They are an important component in our strategy for developing the highest quality leased and tenanted pub businesses in our sector,” David continued.