I was at my old school recently, talking about the ups and downs of life as a chief executive. The events of the past few months will certainly provide economics students with much to study. I have seen several downturns and recessions and the way in which the current one has come about is unprecedented.
Whitbread has weathered a few storms in its 260-year history. No longer a brewer, we have made the business leaner and more agile so we can stay focused on what’s at our core – brands which represent value for money for all the family. Yet, there are always lessons to be learned. The biggest is the need to stay relentlessly focused on value, and on the customer. And the challenge is to do this without compromising on sustainability. The corporate landscape may well look very different in a few years’ time, but those who can adapt quickly to the changing times will prove the most resilient – and may even emerge stronger.
