From pulling pints to pinpointing top talent – former pub licensee joins Admiral team
Tony Moss, recruitment coordinator
The move from running a pub to area management is a well-trodden path at Admiral Taverns, with around half of its Business Development Managers having previously served as licensees. However, the step from pub landlord to pub company recruitment is the road less travelled at Admiral – until now.
The award-winning community pub group has appointed former pub licensee and head chef Tony Moss to its recruitment and training team in Chester, as recruitment coordinator.
He will use his previous experience of the pub game to help licensees through the recruitment journey, and to help Admiral identify the right individuals for the right pubs.
Suzanne Smith, head of recruitment and people development at Admiral, said: “Tony and his partner were passionate and dedicated licensees at the Griffin Inn [an Admiral tenancy] so the choice to bring him in-house was very straightforward. Tony’s familiarity with our culture and vision will ensure he will make a swift impression.
“From a licensee perspective, we’re delighted that Tony has joined us. It’s an enormous benefit to have front-line experience on the team, and importantly – as it does in the BDM role – will help cement the recruitment and training function’s credibility with new Admiral licensees, who may not have worked with us before.”
Tony, who with his partner, was licensee at The Griffin Inn, a food-led pub in Trevalyn, North Wales, was keen to develop his skills further with an industry role. “I loved running the pub and love the industry, so saw a big opportunity to develop my career within it, at Admiral,” he explained. “I am really excited about the opportunity to help and advise other licensees, who may be new to the industry or new to Admiral, and believe I can genuinely make a difference to them. I have been there – in their shoes – so understand the issues and challenges, the training needs, and also the recruitment process from a licensee perspective.”
In the role, Tony will be one of the first points of contact for any prospective licensee making an enquiry or attending an open day pub event. He will work alongside BDMs helping licensee applicants on the journey from initial conversation through to pub selection – and signing an agreement with the community pub group. He will also assist licensees with any training and development support they may require.
Concluded Smith: “We believe it’s crucially important to have licensee experience among our colleagues who work in support roles at Admiral Taverns – be it as a BDM in our pubs with our licensees, or at our support centre in Chester. Bringing a former licensee into this sort of role is a real differentiator and I’m confident Tony will make a huge difference.
“We’re not sure if this is gamekeeper turned poacher or the other way around – but we’re delighted to welcome Tony to the team!”
