Inspirational role model

Area manager Amanda is inspirational role model

Wetherspoon’s area manager, Amanda Dunn, is an inspirational role model to any student working as a part-time bar associate or contemplating applying for a job with the company.

In November 2023, Amanda completed her first year as an area manager.

In January this year, she celebrated 20 years with the company – and all before her 40th birthday in February.

As well as a successful Wetherspoon career, she has also raised a family, with two daughters now aged 15 and 12 years old. Amanda said: “A career and family is no more than anyone else in life, but the past 20 years (half my life at Wetherspoon) has flown by – it certainly doesn’t feel like 20 years.”

Amanda was studying for a degree in sports and exercise at university in Sunderland, when, at the age of 19, she took on a part-time bar associate job at The William Jameson (Sunderland).

When she finished her studies, she joined the company full time and progressed to shift manager in four years at that pub.

Amanda transferred to The Lambton Worm (Sunderland) (now closed), where she worked for a further four years, taking over as pub manager for a year in 2011.

A 10-year tenure as pub manager at The Mile Castle (Newcastle) followed, before Amanda took on her current role. She recalled: “The Mile Castle is a busy pub in a fantastic location, and I had great success there.

“It is also very rewarding to see the success of others whom I, in turn, have helped to develop.”

Amanda Dunn

“In August 2022, I was asked to cover for an area manager who was off at the time; by November, the position became available and was advertised – and I was the successful applicant.”

Amanda, responsible for 11 pubs in the northeast, explained: “It had always been in the back of my mind, as something I wanted to do, but the area managers in the northeast were long-serving employees, so it was hard to break in.

“When I got the chance to cover for a few months, it made me realise that I enjoyed it and it really felt like the next natural step for me.

“I do miss the staff and customer aspect of running a pub, but stepping out into this role feels right – and I am loving it.”

She added: “The role has helped me to develop, as I see and deal with a lot every day.

“It is also very rewarding to see the success of others whom I, in turn, have helped to develop.”

Amanda concluded: “The company has come a long way in the past 20 years and continues to improve. To see and be a part of that has been amazing.

“Wetherspoon is a very good company to work for. “The staff are well looked after, as a first priority, and that adds to the value of any achievement.

“We are all striving to be better, with a happy work-life balance. It is hard work, but you get out of it what you put in. Everything is what you make it.