Training Example: Whitbread PLC – Review the Data, Give Your Score & Compare to the Real AI Evaluation

[H2] Our year in review
We've published our Annual Report and Accounts 2025/26
Read more
[H2] Force for Good
Sustainability Report 2025/26
Read more
[H2] Whitbread’s Thrive programme sets national example for inclusive employment
View the video
[H2] Progress in Germany
Watch a video of our progress to date in Germany
View the video
[H2] Whitbread is a leading hospitality business
With c.31,500 employees who are passionate about making everyday experiences special for our millions of customers both in the UK and overseas.
[IMG: Map Uk]
[H5] Biggest hotel chain in the UK
[IMG: Map De]
[H5] Growing in Germany
[IMG: Premier Inn Logo 1]
[IMG: Force For Good]
[H5] Force for Good
[IMG: Icon5]
[H5] Award winning quality & value
More about Whitbread
[H3] BEING A FORCE FOR GOOD
At Whitbread, we are committed to making a lasting impact through our Force for Good programme, built on three pillars–Responsibility, Opportunity and Community.
[H6] Responsibility
Always operating in a way that respects people and the planet
[H6] Opportunity
A team where everyone can reach their potential. No barriers to entry and no limitations to ambition
[H6] Community
Making a meaningful contribution to the customers and communities we serve
Sustainability at Whitbread
2025/26 ESG report
[H2] Latest media, news & stories
15 May 2026 Property
[H3] Whitbread launches stunning new seafront Premier Inn in Bognor Regis
The community turns out in force to celebrate the opening of the 116-room seaside hotel – one of a number14 May 2026 Brand
[H3] Whitbread hero raises money for CLAPA
A Whitbread programme manager is taking on a mammoth cycling challenge to raise money for the charity Cleft Lip25 Mar 2026 Property
[H3] Whitbread Grows in Limerick
156-room hotel is one of the anchor developments in Limerick Twenty Thirty’s Opera Square regeneration scheme25 Feb 2026 Property
[H3] Cumberland Council resolves to grant Premier Inn’s plans in Carlisle City Centre
Planning decision progresses proposed £12m capital investment in the historic city centre – with 25 jobs planned on opening25 Feb 2026 Property
[H3] Whitbread submits planning application for Premier Inn hotel in North Walsham
81-bedroom hotel is proposed at the Fruehauf factory regeneration site at the western gateway to the North Norfolk market
View all press releases

[H2]
Property
15 May 2026 Property
[H3] Whitbread launches stunning new seafront Premier Inn in Bognor Regis
The community turns out in force to celebrate the opening of the 116-room seaside hotel - one of a number of Whitbread investments on the south coast of England.25 Mar 2026 Property
[H3] Whitbread Grows in Limerick
156-room hotel is one of the anchor developments in Limerick Twenty Thirty’s Opera Square regeneration scheme25 Feb 2026 Property
[H3] Cumberland Council resolves to grant Premier Inn’s plans in Carlisle City Centre
Planning decision progresses proposed £12m capital investment in the historic city centre - with 25 jobs planned on opening25 Feb 2026 Property
[H3] Whitbread submits planning application for Premier Inn hotel in North Walsham
81-bedroom hotel is proposed at the Fruehauf factory regeneration site at the western gateway to the North Norfolk market town6 Jan 2026 Property
[H3] Premier Inn gears up for second Chichester location
UK’s largest hotelier buys into Bognor Road location as part of its southern expansion drive.17 Dec 2025 Property
[H3] Whitbread wraps up 2025 with planning consent at Dorset House, SE1
Planning permission for the conversion of the 90,000 sq12 Dec 2025 Property
[H3] Premier Inn opens its doors in Hastings Town Centre
Premier Inn has today celebrated its1 Dec 2025 Property
[H3] Whitbread secures prime mid-town site for new hub by Premier Inn
Victory House on London's Kingsway was acquired freehold off-market28 Nov 2025 Property
[H3] Whitbread submits plans for Carlisle City Centre Premier Inn
104-bedroom Premier Inn is planned for a vacant city4 Nov 2025 Property
[H3] Premier Inn Gets the Green Light in Leeds City Centre
Whitbread secures planning consent to convert Verity House in

[H1] A focused hotel group
Whitbread is the owner of Premier Inn, the UK’s biggest hotel brand, with a growing presence in Germany, offering quality accommodation at affordable prices. With over 86,000 rooms in the UK and over 11,000 rooms in Germany in great locations, you’ll never be far from a Premier Inn. We employ c.31,500 people across the UK and Germany and serve millions of guests every month; people are at the heart of our business.Our unique vertically integrated operating model has enabled Premier Inn to grow at a significantly faster pace than competitors, deliver a consistently superior customer experience and generate a strong return on capital for shareholders. Our programme of investing through the cycle has resulted in us being well-placed to extend our market leading position in the UK, to accelerate our growth in Germany and drive long term value for all our stakeholders.
[H6] OUR PURPOSE
To provide quality, affordable hotels for our guests to help them to live and work well and to positively impact the world around us. With no barriers to entry or limits to ambition, to provide meaningful work, skills and career development opportunities for our teams.
[H6] OUR VALUES
[IMG: Warm Welcoming]
[H6] Warm + welcoming
to our guests and each other
[IMG: Passionate Proud]
[H6] Passionate + proud
about the big picture and the little things that matter
[IMG: Budget Brilliant]
[H6] Budget + brilliant
in everything we do
[H5] The markets we operate in
[IMG: Uk Map]
[H6] Premier Inn
Over 86k roomsc.9k rooms in committed pipelineLong-term potential of 125k rooms
[IMG: De Map]
[H6] Premier Inn
>11k rooms openc.7.5k rooms in pipelineAmbition to become No. 1 hotel brand
[H3] Our ambition is to be the world’s best budget hotel
[H3] Our brands
We’re hospitality experts, running some of the UK’s most-loved brands and operating over 850 hotels across the UK and Germany. Whether we’re providing great food and comfy rooms for our guests or working with charitable causes through our Force for Good programme, we work hard to consistently deliver on our service and standards.
[IMG: Premier Inn Brands Carousel]
Great rooms at c.850 hotels across the UK and Ireland and 65 hotels in Germany. Our rooms include comfy kingsize beds, Freeview TVs, en-suite bathrooms with power showers and much more. Exceptionally friendly service and relaxing stays you can rely on.
More on our brands
[IMG: Hub Brands Carousel]
hub by Premier Inn offers smart, stylish rooms across London and Edinburgh at great prices. Each room includes a slick touchscreen control panel to change the lighting and temperature, completely free superfast Wi-Fi, 40″ smart TVs, high-powered monsoon showers and relaxing beds.
More on our brands
[IMG: Zip Brands Carousel]
Our idea is simple. Do the essentials brilliantly, then take away everything else. You get a small room, a simple stay and best of all, a price to match – from £19 a night. Now open in Cardiff.
More on our brands
[IMG: Beefeater Large]
One of our steak-led brands full of hearty favourites and pub classics, and not forgetting a well-stocked bar to suit every taste and occasion.
More on our brands
[IMG: Bar Block Large]
An all-day dining steakhouse which combines a destination restaurant with a welcoming bar fit for any occasion.
More on our brands
[IMG: Thyme Carousel]
Our in-house restaurant serving Premier Inn guests.
More on our brands
[IMG: Cookhouse Carousel]
Everything you need from your local pub restaurant including menus that are full of hearty favourites and pub classics and a well-stocked bar, including cask ales, lager, wines, gin and soft drinks to suit every taste and occasion.
More on our brands
[IMG: Brewers Fayre Carousel]
Quality pub food and drinks in a family-friendly environment
More on our brands
[IMG: Tt 58]
Freshly-cooked great pub food in a laid-back setting.
More on our brands
[IMG: Whitbread Inns 58]
Serving up delicious dishes and a wide range of drinks, from cask ales to bottled favourites.
More on our brands
[H6] BEING A FORCE FOR GOOD
We’ve always been about people, and we always will,  so it makes sense that our sustainability programme is all about people too. It’s called Force for Good. And it’s about helping everyone – our customers, team members and suppliers – to live and work well. Force for Good is grouped into three key pillars – Opportunity, Community and Responsibility. Within each area, we’ve set long term strategic commitments that we believe will help us reach our goal of enabling people to live and work well.
[H6] Opportunity
A team where everyone can reach their potential. No barriers to entry and no limitations to ambition.
[H6] Community
Making a meaningful contribution to the customers and communities we serve.
[H6] Responsibility
Always operating in a way that respects people and the planet.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR SUSTAINABILITY PAGES

[H1] Management
Whitbread PLC BoardWhitbread Executive CommitteeThe board comprises of the Chair, Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and a number of non-executive directors. 
[IMG: Christine Hodgson Headshot]
[H3]
Christine Hodgson Chair
[H4] Career
Christine is a highly experienced FTSE 100 Chair with a strong background in finance, technology and sustainability leadership. She has held senior roles across the technology and consumer-facing sectors and working with multiple high growth international companies. Christine joined Capgemini, one of the world’s largest technology and professional service groups, in 1997 and held a number of roles including CFO of Capgemini UK Plc and for the Global Outsourcing business, CEO of Technology Services North West Europe, Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Executive Chair of Capgemini UK Plc.
[H4] Committee membership
Remuneration Committee
[IMG: Remuneration Committee]
Nomination Committee (Chair)
[IMG: Nomination Committee Chair]
[H4] Leadership tenure
Appointed September 2025
[H4] Nationality
British
[H4] External appointments
Severn Trent Plc (Chair)Newton Group Holdings Limited (Chair)Spencer Stuart (Non-executive Director)
[IMG: Dominic Paul Whitbread Headshot 580x580]
[H3]
Dominic Paul Chief Executive
[H4] Career
Dominic is an experienced senior executive, with a very strong operational and commercial record in the travel, leisure and hospitality sector and has a track record of growing and transforming brands both in the UK and internationally. Dominic was previously a member of the Whitbread Executive Committee and Managing Director of Costa Coffee for three years, before serving as CEO of Domino’s Pizza Group Plc where he led the business through the COVID-19 pandemic, delivered a strong period of sales growth and value creation and aligned all stakeholders behind a growth strategy for the future.Previously Dominic was Senior Vice President of International with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line where he led the business through a period of strong growth. His extensive experience in the travel and leisure industry also includes senior roles at easyJet, British Midland and British Airways.
[H4] Leadership tenure
Appointed January 2023
[H4] Nationality
British
[IMG: Hermant Patel Whitbread Headshot 580x580]
[H3]
Hemant Patel Chief Financial Officer
[H4] Career
Hemant joined Whitbread in 2018 as UK Finance Director, having previously been Finance Director of Greene King Pub Co. He also worked at ASDA-Walmart for 11 years, carrying out various management roles including Commercial Finance Director, Director of Own Label and Director of Strategy. He also had several finance roles over six years at Mars, Inc. He was Chair of the Royal Armouries Museum and was awarded an MBE for services to Museums and Heritage in the 2020 Birthday Honours List. He also received the Arts and Business Individual of the Year award in 2007 for his work with Interplay Theatre.
[H4] Leadership tenure
Appointed March 2022
[H4] Nationality
British
[H4] External appointments
3i Group PLC (non-executive Director)
[IMG: Richard Gillingwater Whitbread Headshot 580x580]
[H3]
Richard Gillingwater  Senior Independent Director
[H4] Career
Richard was Chairman of Janus Henderson Group plc from 2017 to the end of 2022, and served as a non-executive director of Helical PLC and was former Pro-Chancellor of the Open University. Richard also served as Chairman of SSE PLC from 2015 to 2021. Richard is a highly experienced executive and has spent much of his career in corporate finance and investment banking with Kleinwort Benson, BZW and Credit Suisse First Boston, before he moved out of banking and became Chief Executive of the Shareholder Executive and then Dean of Bayes Business School.
[H4] Committee membership
Remuneration Committee
[IMG: Remuneration Committee]
Nomination Committee
[IMG: Nomination Committee]
[H4] Leadership tenure
Appointed June 2018
[H4] Nationality
British
[H4] External appointments
Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc (Independent Non-executive Director & Senior Independent Director)Wellcome Trust (Chair of Investment Committee)
[IMG: Kal Atwal Whitbread Headshot 580x580]
[H3]
Kal Atwal Independent non-executive director
[H4] Career
Kal has over 14 years’ executive experience at BGL Group Limited in various roles, including founding Managing Director of comparethemarket.com. Kal was also Chair of Simply Cook, a tech enabled meal kit subscription service, prior to its sale to Nestlé.Kal began her career at EY in Madrid, after which she held a number of operational and strategic roles with Southern Derbyshire Chamber and Northcliffe Media Ltd. Kal is an experienced strategic leader with international experience in start-up, scale-up, fintech and digital businesses.
[H4] Committee membership
Remuneration Committee
[IMG: Remuneration Committee]
Nomination Committee
[IMG: Nomination Committee]
[H4] Leadership tenure
Appointed March 2021
[H4] Nationality
British
[H4] External appointments
OSB Group PLC (non-executive director)Royal London Group (non-executive director)Funky Pigeon Limited (Chair)
[IMG: Dame Karen Jones Whitbread Headshot 580x580]
[H3]
Karen Jones DBE Independent non-executive director
[H4] Career
Karen is Senior Independent director at Deliveroo plc and The Crown Estate and the Chair at Hawksmoor. Karen previously served as Executive Chair at Prezzo and Senior Independent director at Booker plc. Karen has a wealth of experience in the restaurant, food and hospitality sectors having founded Café Rouge and led the formation of Spirit Group as CEO.Karen also has strong experience in executive remuneration, having previously chaired the remuneration committees at ASOS plc and Booker plc.
[H4] Committee membership
Remuneration Committee
[IMG: Remuneration Committee]
Nomination Committee
[IMG: Nomination Committee]
[H4] Leadership tenure
Appointed January 2023
[H4] Nationality
British
[H4] External Appointments
Deliveroo plc (Senior Independent non‑executive director)The Crown Estate (Senior non‑executive director)Underdog Group Limited (Hawksmoor – Chair)Imbiba Growth LLP (advisory board member)Bricks and Fuel Limited (director)National Theatre Enterprises Ltd (Chair)Mowgli Street Food (non-executive director)Federal Café (Chair)
[IMG: Dame Cilla Snowball Whitbread Headshot 580x580]
[H3]
Cilla Snowball DBE Independent non-executive director
[H4] Career
Cilla has a wealth of advertising, marketing and digital experience, being made a Dame in 2017 for  her services to advertising, diversity and equality.Cilla started her career in advertising and served as  Group Chief Executive at Abbott Mead Vickers BDDO Ltd from 2006 to 2018, also sitting on the  BBDO Worldwide Board, and Chair of both the Advertising Association and the Women’s Business  Council.
[H4] Committee membership
Nomination Committee
[IMG: Nomination Committee]
Audit Committee
[IMG: Audit Committee]
[H4] Leadership tenure
January 2023
[H4] Nationality
British
[H4] External appointments
Derwent London plc (non‑executive director)University of Birmingham (Deputy Pro Chancellor and Chair of the remuneration committee)Wellcome Trust (Governor)
[IMG: Frank Fiskers Whitbread Headshot 580x580]
[H3]
Frank Fiskers  Independent non-executive director
[H4] Career
Frank spent ten years with Scandic Hotels Group and served twice as President & CEO from 2007 to 2010 and from 2013 to 2018. Between September 2010 and September 2012, he was a non-executive director at the Group. He has experience in several countries in Europe and Africa.Frank has served as Chairman of Norstedt and Akademibokhandln. He has also served as a board member of the Swedish Hospitality Employers Association, the Dame Thomas Foundation for Young People, and the British Hospitality Association.
[H4] Committee membership
Remuneration Committee (Chair)
[IMG: Remuneration Committee Chair]
Nomination Committee
[IMG: Nomination Committee]
Audit Committee
[IMG: Audit Committee]
[H4] Leadership tenure
Appointed February 2019
[H4] Nationality
Danish
[H4] External appointments
Shurgard Self Storage SA (Non-executive director)
[IMG: Horst Baier Whitbread Headshot 580x580]
[H3]
Horst Baier Independent non-executive director
[H4] Career
Horst was Chief Financial Officer of TUI AG, the London‑listed Anglo-German leisure travel group, for eight years until the end of September 2018. During his time at TUI AG, Horst played an important role in TUI’s transformation from a tour operator to a global provider of holidays.
[H4] Committee membership
Nomination Committee
[IMG: Nomination Committee]
Audit Committee
[IMG: Audit Committee]
[H4] Leadership tenure
Appointed November 2019
[H4] Nationality
German
[H4] External appointments
Bayer AG (Member of Supervisory Board)Ecclesia Holding GmbH, Detmold (Member of the voluntary Supervisory Board)
[IMG: Shelley Roberts Whitbread Headshot 580x580]
[H3]
Shelley Roberts Independent non-executive director
[H4] Career
Shelley is currently the Group Chief Commercial Officer at Compass Group PLC, where she is responsible for leading the Group’s Global Clients, Strategy, M&A, Health & Safety, Sustainability, Digital and Procurement functions.Shelley has vast experience in the travel and hospitality sector, having served as Managing Director of Compass Group’s Australian business and previous to this holding leadership roles at easyJet, Tiger Airways and Sydney Airport.
[H4] Committee membership:
Audit Committee
[IMG: Audit Committee]
Nomination Committee
[IMG: Nomination Committee]
[H4] Leadership tenure
Appointed November 2023
[H4] Nationality
Austrian
[H4] External Appointments
Compass Group (Chief Commercial Officer)
[IMG: Jonathanhowell Wb]
[H3]
Jonathan Howell Independent non-executive director
[H4] Career
Jonathan is a seasoned executive and experienced public company director. He was the Group Chief Financial Officer of The Sage Group plc from 2018 to 2025.  Prior to that he was Group CFO of Close Brothers Group plc for ten years. Jonathan also served as the Group CFO of The London Stock Exchange Group for nine years. The early part of Jonathan’s career was at Price Waterhouse where he qualified as a chartered accountant.Jonathan is a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at Experian plc and previously served as a Non-Executive Director and as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Sage from 2013 to 2018, before becoming the Group CFO.
[H4] Committee membership
Audit Committee (Chair)
[IMG: Audit Committee]
Nomination Committee
[IMG: Nomination Committee]
[H4] Leadership tenure
Appointed on 1 January 2026
[H4] Nationality
British
[H4] External appointments
Experian plc (Non-executive director & Chair of Audit Committee)
Centrica plc (Non-executive director)The Executive Committee comprises of the Whitbread PLC Executive Directors and a number of Senior Executives. 
[IMG: Dominic Paul Whitbread Headshot 580x580]
[H3]
Dominic Paul Chief Executive
[H4] Career
Dominic is an experienced senior executive, with a very strong operational and commercial record in the travel, leisure and hospitality sector and has a track record of growing and transforming brands both in the UK and internationally. Dominic was previously a member of the Whitbread Executive Committee and Managing Director of Costa Coffee for three years, before serving as CEO of Domino’s Pizza Group Plc where he led the business through the COVID-19 pandemic, delivered a strong period of sales growth and value creation and aligned all stakeholders behind a growth strategy for the future.Previously Dominic was Senior Vice President of International with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line where he led the business through a period of strong growth. His extensive experience in the travel and leisure industry also includes senior roles at easyJet, British Midland and British Airways.
[H4] Leadership tenure
Appointed January 2023
[H4] Nationality
British
[IMG: Erik Friemuth Whitbread Headshot 580x580]
[H3]
Erik Friemuth Chief Executive Officer, Premier Inn Germany
[H4] Career
Erik joined Whitbread in January 2024 as Chief Executive for Premier Inn Germany.Erik has more than 20 years’ experience in marketing. Erik served for nine years as Group Chief Marketing Officer at TUI AG, one of the world’s leading tourism businesses. His responsibilities included brand strategy and communication.  Prior to that, Erik held a number of senior positions at Vodafone Deutschland.
[H4] Leadership Tenure
Appointed January 2024
[H4] Nationality
German
[IMG: Hermant Patel Whitbread Headshot 580x580]
[H3]
Hemant Patel Chief Financial Officer
[H4] Career
Hemant joined Whitbread in 2018 as UK Finance Director, having previously been Finance Director of Greene King Pub Co. He also worked at ASDA-Walmart for 11 years, carrying out various management roles including Commercial Finance Director, Director of Own Label and Director of Strategy. He also had several finance roles over six years at Mars, Inc. He was Chair of the Royal Armouries Museum and was awarded an MBE for services to Museums and Heritage in the 2020 Birthday Honours List. He also received the Arts and Business Individual of the Year award in 2007 for his work with Interplay Theatre.
[H4] Leadership tenure
Appointed March 2022
[H4] Nationality
British
[H4] External appointments
3i Group PLC (non-executive Director)
[IMG: Joe Garrood Whitbread Headshot 580x580]
[H3]
Joe Garrood Chief Commercial Officer
[H4] Career
Joe joined Whitbread in December 2023 as Chief Commercial Officer. He is responsible for the Group’s commercial strategy including revenue management, brand development and marketing across the UK and Germany.Before joining Whitbread, Joe was the Chief Commercial Officer at Pure Gym, the second largest gym operator in Europe with operations in six countries. His responsibilities included commercial management, marketing, insight and analytics for the Group. He also has 20 years’ experience in private equity, executive management and consulting.
[H4] Leadership tenure
Appointment December 2023
[H4] Nationality
British
[IMG: Mark Anderson MD]
[H3]
Mark Anderson Managing Director, Property and International 
[H4] Career
Mark Anderson joined Whitbread in January 2006 and was appointed to his current role in September 2016.Mark is responsible for the acquisition, development and management of Whitbread’s substantial property portfolio.  He also leads Whitbread’s International businesses, overseeing development and operations in Germany and the Middle East, including management of food & beverages overseas and mergers & acquisitions.Before joining Whitbread, Mark spent 16 years at J Sainsbury PLC in a variety of senior positions, finally managing all aspects of the property estate.Mark is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and has a Masters in Business Administration from Henley Business School.
[H4] Leadership tenure
Appointed September 2016
[H4]