Celebrating JW Lees Brewery Hospitality Apprentices This NAW2026

Family Business United (FBU) is marking National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (NAW2026) by celebrating the vital contribution apprentices make within family-owned businesses across the UK.

Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of FBU, said the campaign highlights both the depth of talent emerging from family firms and the long-term perspective that defines the sector. “Family businesses are the engine room of the UK economy,” he said. “They take a long-term view, investing across their operations as they seek to build sustainable businesses for generations to come."

"Investing in apprentices is a key part of that commitment, and it is a pleasure to share the stories of apprentices working in family firms during National Apprenticeship Week.”

Among the businesses featured in the campaign is JW Lees Brewery, Manchester’s oldest brewery. Founded in 1828 by retired cotton manufacturer John Lees, the seventh-generation family business remains headquartered in Middleton, in the north-east of the city. Today, JW Lees employs more than 1,525 people across its operations, including 150 at the brewery and Middleton Junction site and over 1,375 staff working across its 49 managed pubs, inns and hotels, alongside The Alderley Edge Hotel, The Trearddur Bay Hotel and Willoughby’s Wine Merchants. A further 100 pubs are operated in partnership with pub partners, with sites stretching from Manchester to North Wales.

Theresa Mitchell, Learning & Development Business Partner at JW Lees Brewery, said apprenticeships are central to the company’s long-term sustainability. “Investing in apprenticeships is beneficial for a family business like JW Lees Brewery because they support long-term skills development while preserving the company’s values and heritage,” she explained.

“Operating a brewery, warehouse and a large pub estate across the North West of England and North Wales requires a skilled, loyal workforce with diverse knowledge. Apprenticeships support in-house training, enabling our team members to develop the skills and expertise needed to meet specific operational needs.”

She added that apprenticeships also provide a structured and cost-effective route to developing talent. “By utilising the Levy fund, apprenticeships give us clear career pathways, helping us retain talent over time and reduce recruitment and additional training costs. We continue to broaden the range of apprenticeships across all areas of the business to pass on traditional brewing and hospitality skills, embrace new technologies and ensure the business continues to thrive for future generations.”

One of those benefiting from this commitment is Poppy Lownds, a Team Leader at The Huntsman Inn, who is undertaking a Level 3 Food and Beverage Hospitality Supervisor apprenticeship. The programme is designed to support individuals in their first management roles within the hospitality sector, equipping them with essential leadership, operational and people-management skills to independently supervise services and run shifts.

“My apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to learn more on the job in a way that really benefits my day-to-day role,” Poppy said.

“My progression has definitely improved through the apprenticeship, and achieving a distinction has given me a great deal of confidence in my work.”

As National Apprenticeship Week 2026 continues, stories like this reinforce the message at the heart of Family Business United’s campaign: apprenticeships not only help individuals build successful careers, but also play a vital role in securing the future and legacy of the UK’s family businesses for generations to come.