Overview of the hospitality and events sector in the UK

If you're enthusiastic about a career with both local and international opportunities - where every day brings new rewards - then look no further than the hospitality and events sector

What areas can I work in?

The hospitality industry offers a range of career opportunities, encompassing various fields:

• accommodation: hotels, self-catering establishments, holiday centres.
• food and beverages: catering, restaurants, coffee shops, pubs, bars, nightclubs.
• leisure and events: leisure attractions, conference management, corporate events, entertainment and sporting events, exhibition management, fundraising, weddings, and parties.

Additionally, companies within the hospitality sector recruit graduates for diverse head office functions, including:

• finance
• IT
• human resources (HR)
• customer service
• sales and marketing
• property and legal
• general management.

Who are the main graduate employers?

Examples of companies operating in the hospitality industry include:

• Compass Group (catering)
• Greene King (pubs, restaurants, and hotels)
• Hilton Hotels and Resorts
• InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
• Jurys Inn
• Marriott International (hotels)
• Merlin Entertainments (attractions such as Alton Towers and SEA LIFE)
• Mitchells & Butlers (pubs and restaurants)
• Sodexo (catering and event management)
• The Deltic Group (late night bars and clubs)
• Travelodge
• Wetherspoon
• Whitbread (includes Costa Coffee and Premier Inn).

The hospitality industry in the UK is composed of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), particularly independent hotels and restaurants. Meanwhile, most pubs and bars have less than ten employees.

Some of the leading event management companies in the UK include:

• Clarion Events
• Live Nation Entertainment (which manages concert venues)
• London Business Conferences
• RX
• Theme Traders.

The event industry has varied career opportunities, such as working for a management firm, a venue, or a supplier. Large companies, such as hotel chains and business caterers, also employ event managers. Additionally, some major charities have fundraising jobs that involve event planning.

There are also opportunities for self-employment, such as working as a freelancer in the events industry, running your own independent pub, or joining a franchise.

What's it like working in the sector?

Graduates entering the hospitality and event management sector can expect:

• opportunities to work throughout the UK or overseas
• salaries to be dependent on the organisation you work for
• to work unsociable hours, including evenings and weekends
• promotion from within to be common
• performance-related pay, commission, and bonus structures in some event management roles.

To find out more about typical salaries and working conditions in your chosen career, see job profiles.

Do I need a related degree?

To land a job, some companies require a 2:1 degree and a specific number of UCAS points. With a degree, you can directly apply for management positions and graduate hospitality schemes. However, there are clear paths of progression, and you can work your way up from a lower qualification level if needed.

While postgraduate study in tourism, hospitality, and event management is not necessary, it can be helpful as it demonstrates your commitment to the field. Employers in this sector recruit graduates of any discipline for most jobs, and experience in similar roles is more important than a related degree. Search for postgraduate courses in tourism, hospitality, and event management.

You can gain work experience in hospitality and events management by volunteering, working part-time while studying, or as part of your degree programme. Search for work experience in hospitality and events management.

Additionally, you can pursue an apprenticeship in hospitality or event management.

What skills do employers want?

You will need:

• a people-centred approach and customer service skills
• the ability to work in a team
• flexibility, a willingness to work unsocial hours and stamina
• confidence, a persuasive approach and organisational skills
• language skills.

According to the Chambers of Commerce's Quarterly Recruitment Outlook, the construction and hospitality sectors are experiencing the most significant hiring challenges, as 82% of employers in both industries are struggling to fill vacancies.

If you plan to work abroad, having native language skills can be beneficial. To make yourself stand out from the competition, it's crucial to research and develop the in-demand skills that employers are seeking. You can learn more about these skills by exploring what skills do employers want?

How do I find a graduate job in hospitality?

Some of the larger companies offer graduate schemes in areas such as hospitality management/operations or head office functions such as finance, marketing, IT, HR, and retail.

Employers include:

• Compass Group
• InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
• Jurys Inn
• Merlin Entertainments
• Mitchells & Butlers
• Whitbread.

Many employers, including international hospitality chains, offer graduate schemes that can launch your career globally. However, there are also opportunities available for those without a degree. For example, companies such as Wetherspoons advertise head office roles that require several years of relevant experience.

As a substantial proportion of hospitality businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), it can be effective to submit speculative applications directly to companies.

Advertised vacancies can also be found in local newspapers, recruitment agencies, and professional networking sites like LinkedIn.

While some organisations like the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) offer specialised graduate schemes, entry into this field is often flexible. You could consider transitioning from related roles in hospitality, PR, marketing, or arts administration to gain the necessary experience.

To find graduate roles, search graduate jobs in hospitality and event management.