New strategic appointment for Midlands pub recruitment group

Paul Clarke will have joint responsibility for delivering the growth plans of West Midlands-based MyPubGroup over the next three years through its subsidiary brands, FindMyPub.com, RecruitForMyPub.com, RunningMyPub.com and FindMyPubJobs.com.

Paul, an industry veteran, has a wealth of experience gained from a career in the leased and tenanted sector. Group managing director Helen Lees, who founded the company, based near Wolverhampton, said: “Our aim is to provide the best possible lead generation services to the hospitality sector and to be the number one outsourced recruitment solution for the pub and bar industry. Paul’s appointment will strengthen our commitment to achieving that aim.

“Paul’s appointment emphasises our strong commitment to delivering growth and improved operational performances across the company as we continue to build a stronger business for the future.”

She added: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to our board of directors and having worked with him 20 years ago at various pub groups, and having kept in touch ever since, I am well aware of his industry credentials for improving business performance. He has clearly demonstrated outstanding capability in the pub and recruitment sectors, so he is a perfect fit for us as a growing business. We are looking forward making the most of his expertise at a strategic level.”

Paul, who recently retired from Star Pubs and Bars, the Heineken-owned leased pub operator, said: “Helen and I were always a strong duo when it came to the training and recruitment of staff for the pubs that we represented at that time. Despite us going in different directions and at opposite ends of the country, our professional relationship has always remained intact because of our shared passion for improving the image and standards within our sector.”

Having worked for both small and large PLC pub groups, Paul added: “As well as owning and running my own pub business, I am delighted to be joining MyPubGroup.Ltd and using my industry expertise and knowledge to help deliver the strategic plan.”

Since being established in 2009 MyPubGroup.Ltd is the umbrella company of the better-known FindMyPub.com. Initially set up with the aim of providing a Rightmove-style solution for the pub industry, FindMyPub.com has grown year-on-year, and in 2016-17 achieved growth of 25%.

The new group structure introduces RecruitForMyPub.com, a company that provides end-to-end recruitment services operating as a fully outsourced model for the trade; its key clients include Punch Taverns, Hawthorn Leisure, Admiral Taverns and NewRiverReit.

During the last 12 months, Hawthorn Leisure has sourced 83% of its lets through FindMyPub.com, which have been processed by Recruitformypub.com as their sole recruitment partner.

To coincide with Paul’s appointment, MyPubGroup is also launching a major rebrand of its websites and to coincide with us moving to a group structure is also announcing two further senior management appointments.

Rachael Nixon, who has managed and delivered our outsourced offer for the last few years has been promoted to divisional head of RecruitForMyPub.com. Having been with the company for over five years, Rachael is now undertaking a strategic role, identifying growth areas, contract management, profitability, branding and is responsible for the growth of the whole outsourced division.

Kim Tomlinson becomes head of operations for FindMyPub.com and FindMyPubJobs.com when it launches later this year. Kim was previously the senior account manager for the Over 500 Division. She will also become more heavily involved in business development, client liaison and service improvement.