​Greene King Expands Prison Kitchen Training to Empower Future Workforce

Greene King, a leading UK pub company and brewer, has expanded its efforts to support prison leavers by opening two new kitchen training facilities at HMP Onley and HMP Perth. These kitchens, designed to mirror Greene King’s operations, will equip more than 60 inmates per year with essential hospitality skills. The initiative aligns with the company’s commitment to providing job opportunities for 400 former prisoners by the end of 2025.

Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This recent investment builds upon Greene King’s earlier work at HMP Thameside and HMP Grampian, where similar programmes were established. Each kitchen offers structured, accredited training that combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice to prepare inmates for employment in the hospitality sector upon release. Greene King’s training curriculum covers a variety of competencies, from food safety and kitchen hygiene to time management and teamwork, empowering participants to re-enter society with the skills and confidence needed to pursue meaningful employment.

Launched in 2019, Greene King’s Releasing Potential programme has provided work opportunities for 260 prison leavers, and it continues to grow. In collaboration with over 65 prisons across the UK, the initiative extends beyond kitchen training, offering a range of practical skills, including food preparation, customer service, barista training, and housekeeping. The goal is to broaden the employment potential of prison leavers, making them viable candidates for positions in Greene King’s network of pubs and hotels across the country.

One of the first to introduce apprenticeships to inmates in open prisons, this programme is a significant step toward reducing reoffending rates by providing stable employment pathways. Greene King CEO Nick Mackenzie highlighted the importance of these initiatives, stating, “The opening of our two new training kitchens in HMP Onley and HMP Perth is a crucial part of our commitment to offering opportunities to everyone, regardless of background. With pubs at the heart of local communities, we can provide jobs nationwide and support successful rehabilitation.”

Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation, and Reducing Reoffending, commended Greene King’s efforts, recognising the programme’s impact on both lives and local communities. “Greene King is recruiting in a way that not only changes lives but can also be beneficial for business,” Timpson noted, adding that opportunities like these help individuals rebuild their lives, support their families, and regain self-esteem.

Through Releasing Potential and other programmes, Greene King is setting a precedent in the hospitality industry by providing a platform for prison leavers to reintegrate into society, contributing positively to their communities while addressing labour needs within the industry. As the programme expands, it opens doors to new opportunities, demonstrating how thoughtful, inclusive hiring practices can create long-term benefits for businesses and society.