CLAIRE Mevo, Holding Manager of the Clock House, in Adams House, Harlow, is celebrating her Graduation from the Accelerator Programme, a training course run by the pub’s managing operator, Stonegate Pub Company.

The graduation ceremony saw Claire present the culmination of her work over the last four months, to members of the Stonegate Learning and Development Team and HR Director, Tim Painter, before being presented with a certificate.

Claire is is one this year’s 125 talented employees to be selected from Stonegate’s sites, to take part in the course, designed as a fast track to managerial positions. The programme included a practical component, organising and producing a fundraiser for a chosen charity, for which Claire picked The Sick Children’s Trust.

With the help of her team at the Clock House, Claire put on a seven-day fundraising initiative earlier this year, raising nearly £500 for the charity. The week was jam packed with entertainment, from a Karaoke Competition to a Marvel Movie Night, showing the much loved, Iron Man, the pub ensured there was something for everyone to enjoy.

The team also ran a homemade cake sale and a raffle – which saw many exciting prizes taken home – as well as competitions for children like, ‘Name the Teddy’ throughout the week.

The Accelerator Programme is designed to give employees the tools to bridge the gap between Deputy Manager and General Manager, through education and dynamic group learning. The course aims to build the participant’s confidence, encourage continued independent learning and help them to work together effectively as team.

Claire has only been the Holding Manager of the Clock House for the last few months, and already she is one of only nine Accelerator participants who will progress straight into managerial positions when they graduate.

“I’ve been lucky enough to be in the unique position when starting out in my first management role, to be doing a management course at the same time!” said Claire. “The support has been invaluable, not only from the course coordinators, but also from all the other Deputy Managers on the course with me.

“We’ve consistently pushed and challenged each other throughout, and it wouldn’t have been the same without them.

“I can’t believe we managed to raise so much money for The Sick Children’s Trust. I hope our efforts will go some way to helping family who really need it. An average of 2 million children need to be treated in hospital every year and just being able to have their family nearby – I think, can make all the difference in the world.”

HR Director, Tim Painter, said, “A massive congratulations to Claire and everyone who graduated from the Accelerator Programme last week! We are immensely proud of our graduates, whose drive and commitment over the last four months has really shown them to be exceptional employees. We look forward to seeing them thrive in our business and wish them every success in the future.”

The Accelerator Programme in now in its 20th graduation cycle and has seen nearly 200 Deputy Managers progress to mangerial positions, while raising over £300,000 for UK Charities between them.