Joe elects to head for Parliament after training success
A Sunderland pub boss has made it to Parliament.
Joe Sophocleous, from Yates in Holmeside, attended a special event at the House of Commons at which MPs congratulated him on graduating from Stonegate Pub Company’s ‘Bar to Boardroom’ management training programme.
He was invited to the reception to celebrate the 200th General Manager appointment from Stonegate’s pool of home grown talent, having successfully completed the company’s award-winning ‘Accelerator’ programme.
Now in its 20th graduation cycle, the Accelerator Programme has seen 200 deputy managers progress to managerial positions since its launch in 2013.
To mark the milestone, a number of MPs joined Stonegate’s ‘Accelerators’ and senior executives to learn for themselves how the trailblazing innovative training programme leads staff from bar to boardroom.
The course aims to build the participant’s confidence, encourage continued independent learning and help them to work together effectively as team. It consists of three workshops: Creating a Winning Mind; Winning in Communication and Winning in Business.
The guests were given a tour of the House of Commons before the main event, hosted by Luton MP Gavin Shuker.
Stonegate Chief Executive, Simon Longbottom, commended the graduates and the Stonegate development team: “People are at the heart of what we do,” he said.
“We’re delighted to able to recognise the achievements of our incredibly hard-working Accelerators here at the House of Commons. The course is a shining example of how commitment in personal development can change people’s lives, as they fast become the company’s most promising managers and future industry leaders.
“Reaching our 200th milestone is a really proud moment and the House of Commons is a fitting place to celebrate.”