Jon Glenn
What: Pub manager
Company: Fuller, Smith & Turner
Where: Artillery Arms in the City
Salary range: £22,000 (live-in) up to £35,000 plus bonuses
You sound Australian.
Yes, I'm from Sydney, but I came over in 2003. Working in pubs wasn't part of the plan, but I started doing it and enjoyed it. I love meeting different people every day and have built up some really good friendships.
So how did you get this job?
This is my first general manager appointment and I have been in the hot seat for four months. Before that I was an assistant trainee manager with the company, acting as relief manager and moving around a lot. Fuller's has a solid development programme whereby you take a series of exams to get to the next stage.
What's your view on hospitality wages?
The wages in this industry aren't great when you start out - everybody knows that - but if you do some training and work your way up, the rewards are high. At Fuller's there is also a decent bonus scheme, so the money is good. I guess salaries are higher in Oz.
Where do you live?
Over the pub. There's no commuting and I am always around - although sometimes that means I can't get away. It also means I don't have rent and stuff to worry about, although my salary is adjusted accordingly.
What are the benefits of living and working in London?
I have no desire to work in another city, but once you have worked here you can transfer your skills anywhere. I'm a big football fan, so London is great as there's lots of sport - and it's an interesting city.
Does the terrorist threat worry you?
I had about 10 phone calls from home when they went off. It makes you think, but to be honest it could happen in Oz as well. It hasn't deterred me.
What makes being a pub manager in London exciting?
It's a great challenge. Maintaining staffing levels in some pubs is difficult, although I don't have that problem. But the competition is fierce - we have got about 100 pubs in a half-mile radius.
Fuller, Smith & Turner
- London-based independent brewer
- 240 pubs in the UK
- Contact: 020 8996 2000
- www.fullers.co.uk