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Beginning her career in retail and hospitality roles, Liz looked to develop her career within a corporate environment at Marston’s. For Liz, apprenticeships offered the opportunity to achieve something she’d always wanted - a recognised qualification she missed out on earlier in life.

“I was supposed to go to university but became ill during my A levels,” she explains. “Not getting that qualification always stuck with me. That’s why I was so excited about doing an apprenticeship later in life.”

Liz joined Marston’s nearly three years ago in her role, and knowing that apprenticeships were supported within the business was a key reason she took the job:

“It was something I asked about in my interview. When I got here, so many of my team were already doing apprenticeships. Hearing what they were learning made it feel like the right place for me.”

She completed the Level 3 Learning and Development Practitioner apprenticeship, discovering a passion for digital Learning & Development (L&D) along the way. She even trained the L&D team on new digital tools, passing her apprenticeship learning straight back into the business.

With the support of her managers, who made sure she had dedicated time in her diary each week to study, Liz graduated with a Distinction in October 2025, citing the confidence the apprenticeship has given her as a huge positive.

One of the biggest changes Liz experienced was confidence. She concluded: “I’d recommend apprenticeships to anyone. It’s helped me develop my confidence massively – simply with the language and knowledge to be in rooms with other L&D professionals. I’ve come from retail and hospitality, not a corporate background, and this is my first corporate role. Now I can hold myself in those rooms. I know I deserve to be there.”

For Tim, his apprenticeship marked a turning point in how he leads his teams, supports others and sees his future career. Managing upwards of 30 members of staff at two brilliant local pubs in the North East, as a pub partner Tim praises his apprenticeship for developing his skills and helping him deliver standout results for both of his pubs.

Joining Marston’s as a pub partner after COVID, Marston’s saw Tim’s potential and worked with him to explore different routes for development – including the Level 5 Coaching Professionals apprenticeship. This was supported directly by Marston’s, which funded the programme.

“I’ve always been a big advocate for training,” he says. “I’ve put seven or eight of my team through apprenticeships over the years. So, for Marston’s to back me in this way made a huge difference.

“I really thrive on taking pubs and making them better. To be given two Marston’s venues, Jacksons Wharf in Hartlepool and the Nags Head in Beverley, and being able to take them from strength to strength, has been brilliant.”

The apprenticeship also led to a major personal discovery which has helped shape Tim’s leadership style, confirming he has dyslexia and ADHD.

“My tutor suggested a screening after seeing how I wrote assignments. Once it was confirmed, the support from Marston’s was incredible. From audio submissions, extra time, I was given whatever I needed to show my skills and develop them. I ended up gaining a distinction and that in no small part was down to the support I was given which was massive.”

Alongside this, Tim says the programme transformed his leadership style to make sure his team win together.

“I’d always mentored people, but coaching is completely different. I changed from a bit of a dictatorship style to one where I coach and guide. It’s had a huge impact.”

With the apprenticeship completed, Tim is now exploring future pathways, including the Level 7 programme, and is having open conversations about expanding his role within Marston’s.

“There are options here,” he says. “Whatever direction I want to explore, the support is there.”

For Gemma, apprenticeships opened a door she didn’t initially expect - one that led her out of pubs and into a career she had never considered before.

“I’ve always worked in pubs and went up to team leader,” she says. “But I knew I didn’t want to be a general manager or assistant manager. I wanted something different - more of a head office environment.”

Gemma joined the Maintenance Helpdesk at Marston’s and quickly discovered an unexpected passion.

“I realised how much I loved spreadsheets, analytics and improving processes. When I heard about apprenticeships, and saw teammates completing theirs, I wanted to get involved.”

She enrolled on the Level 3 Data Technician apprenticeship, supported wholeheartedly by her manager.

“My manager gave me work that supported my apprenticeship but was also genuinely useful to the business. It made the learning feel meaningful.”

Her apprenticeship included lectures with learners from other companies, something she describes as invaluable.

“It helped me understand best practice, how other businesses used data, and broadened my knowledge beyond my own department.”

As she approached completion, a new opportunity opened up - the role of Property Administrator. Thanks to the skills she’d gained through her apprenticeship, she was able to step into the position confidently and deliver everyday excellence.

“My apprenticeship let me go in a different direction. It helped me lift the blinkers and see what else I could do.”

Balancing study with her day job was challenging at times, especially when working on her final project, but she felt supported throughout.

“My manager gave me the time I needed, and my team were incredibly helpful. Even people outside my department supported me. Marston’s have been phenomenal.”

The biggest change Gemma has seen in herself is confidence.

“I’m more assured in my role now. I challenge long-standing processes and look for ways to make things more efficient. My apprenticeship has given me that confidence to speak up.

“I’d recommend apprenticeships to anyone. They’ve completely changed how I see myself and my career.”