Perceptions Group appoints Keith Knowles as first chairman

The Perceptions Group, which aims to promote career opportunities for young people in the pub and casual-dining sector, has appointed Keith Knowles, chief executive of Beds and Bars, as its first chairman.

Knowles said: "I am honoured to have been appointed chairman of this dynamic group of individuals. We have really started to motor on our Pub Careers initiative, which has been driven with the support of passionate operators such as Yummy Pubs, who have demonstrated that by providing structured work experience we can create a channel for enthusiastic young people to come in and experience what we have to offer in terms of careers."

The group recently announced a call for operators to join forces in creating 15,000 work placements throughout 2013/14. The initiative has been supported financially by the recently formed Hospitality Guild and will enable operators small and large to participate in the programme.

Anthony Pender, director of Yummy Pubs, has been appointed vice-chairman and will support Knowles in engaging employers from both the retail and supply side of the industry. "We have a real opportunity to demonstrate that we are a professional, responsible industry that offers people of all abilities the opportunity to shine and have a fulfilling and worthwhile career."

Perceptions Group and Hospitality Guild aim to create 15,000 pub work placements >>By Neil Gerrard

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