Greene King celebrates female staff

 ​This comes after the company pledged to work towards a 50% female senior management team​ by 2030. This initiative is supported by Greene Sky, the operator’s women-focused, employee-led inclusion group. 

Greene King brand director Nuala Gallagher, who has been with the pubco for more than five years, has been recognised within the ‘Women to Watch in Hospitality’ 2022 shortlist. 

Speaking about Greene Sky, Gallagher said: “The simple existence and platform Greene Sky has within the business demonstrates our commitment to supporting and empowering women.” 

Greene Sky’s ambition is to help more women shape the future of the business and is composed of women and allies across all levels of the company.   

As well as advising on current issues faced by team members, its role is to encourage female empowerment and inclusion across all of Greene King. 

Supporting women

Gallagher continued: “Being able to showcase our commitment allows me to attract, and more importantly retain talent within my team. 

“As a mum of two young children, I need to know I can work in an environment where I can be my best and find balance, which Greene Sky helps to facilitate for myself and women throughout the business.”  

Cedars Lodge Inn general manager Vee Muli, who has been with Greene King for more than eight years, is another success story.  

Joining the pub in Barnstaple, Devon, as a front of house team member in 2015, Muli has worked her way up through the business. She was promoted to assistant manager within six months, then general manager in 2017. 

She was also part of Greene King’s first reverse mentoring programme, where she mentored chief executive Nick Mackenzie about her experiences and challenges.  

Muli said: “Greene Sky has shown me that there are fantastic opportunities for women to succeed, and its empowered me to develop my skills and achieve several promotions in recent years.” 

Furthermore, Greene King operations manager Joanne Hind has been with the pubco for nearly 13 years and has recently been promoted to operations manager for the southwest in the Greene King pubs division.   

One to watch

Hind was also recognised within the ‘Women to Watch in Hospitality’ 2022 shortlist at the end of last year. 

On her vision for 2023, Hind said: “This year I want to focus on recruitment and development – ensuring more women want to stay and develop their careers within the business.  

Hind had worked with Greene Sky since it was created, she said it was “fantastic” to see the group’s influence grow year on year within the business.  

“In recent years, the group has helped me to gain a better understanding of the wide range of issues faced by women that I may not have personally experienced – which in turn has helped me to become a better leader,” she added.