51.  As we are committed to the idea of providing general managers with a progression of learning opportunities, we have designed our programmes to match these needs.

52.  An example of this is the general manager of the Cardiff store, who started out as a cook just five years ago.

53.  There are numerous positions within each hotel, ranging from waiters and bar staff through to heads of departments, deputy managers and general managers.

54.  These area managers meet as a team monthly, and general managers meet with their own management teams weekly.

55.  Most jobs out of branches require that at least six months has previously been spent as a branch general manager.

56.  This time is supported by the new manager formally meeting with his or her general manager on a weekly basis to discuss their progress.

57.  Present at the performance review will be the individual concerned, the general manager, area manager and training executive.

58.  General managers are appraised by their area managers and appraise their assistants.

59.  The job of a general manager has changed almost completely.

60.  This would not be concluded once general managers were in place but involved long-term and profound cultural change, a view which managers themselves endorsed.