Finance Graduate

Colonial Group; Dunstable, Houghton Regis; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 15% annual bonus

BUPA healthcare

Pension

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Sharesave scheme with 20% discount

Mentoring and leadership training

Job summary

Whitbread invites graduates to join the Finance Graduate Programme in Dunstable. The scheme offers three rotations across the Finance function, with study support toward a CIMA/ACCA/ACA qualification and mentoring throughout the programme. You’ll start on a £34,000 salary with progression as you pass exams.

The role is hybrid, requiring a minimum of three in-office days per week, and aims to develop you into a junior leadership professional within Whitbread’s finance community.

Qualifications

• Degree in a numerate or analytical discipline with 2:1 or higher, within the last 2 years.
• Passion for building a Finance career at the UK's largest hospitality company.
• Strong communication skills and ability to present and influence stakeholders.
• Comfortable with numerical and analytical work and drawing data-driven conclusions.

Responsibilities

• Rotations across various Finance roles to broaden knowledge.
• Study towards a professional accounting qualification (CIMA/ACCA/ACA).
• Mentoring, peer support and leadership training as part of the programme.
• Develop relationships and contribute to commercial decisions in the business.

Skills

Analytical skills

Numerical ability

Strong communication

Education

Degree in numerate or analytical discipline (min 2:1)

Job description

Whitbread is a FTSE 100 company and the name behind Premier Inn, the UK’s largest hotel brand. As we continue our ambitious international expansion, Germany is a key focus market where we’re rapidly growing our presence. Alongside exciting developments in the UAE and continued growth in the UK, we’re looking for future finance leaders to join our collaborative team and help shape the next chapter of our global journey.

OurFinance Graduate Programmeoffers three rotations across our Finance function, giving you hands-on experience in meaningful roles where you build your skills from day one. You’ll study towards a professional qualification (CIMA, ACCA or ACA), supported by mentoring, leadership training and a supportive graduate community.

Role:

Finance Graduate Programme

Contract Type:

Full-Time & Permanent

Salary:

Starting salary of £34,000 per annum, with increases as you progress and pass your professional exams

Location:

Dunstable, Hybrid, minimum 3 days per week in the office

Application closing date:

27th October 2026 with Assessment Day to take place on 28th January 2027. Must have graduated and be able to start early September 2027.

Alongside your practical work, we’ll sponsor your study towards a professional accounting qualification (you’ll have a choice of either CIMA/ACCA/ACA) and support your personal growth with mentoring, peer support, and leadership training. You’ll be part of a wider graduate community, developing strong working relationships and supporting each other as you navigate the start of your career. Once you have finished your rotations and exams on our Graduate Programme you can expect to be a fully qualified accountant progressing into a junior leadership role in Whitbread.

At Whitbread, we believe in a collaborative and inclusive culture where everyone can thrive. Whether you’re getting involved in our inclusion networks, organising team events, or playing a key role in one of our workstreams, you’ll have the chance to make a real difference to both our business and our customers.

What we’re looking for:

We're looking for graduates who want to be future Finance leaders in our business. You’ll need to be analytical, highly numerical, and able to dive into data and draw insights that will contribute to our commercial success. Strong communication and relationship-building skills are essential, as you’ll work closely with teams across the business to influence and support decision‑making.

What you’ll need:

• Degree in a numerate or analytical discipline (e.g. Finance & Accounting, Economics, Sciences, Mathematics, Data Science), min 2:1, achieved or achieving within the last 2 years.
• Someone who is passionate about building a Finance career and looking to make an impact at the UK’s largest hospitality company where you’ll use your commercial acumen in the role to drive guest satisfaction and support our ambitious growth plans.
• Strong communication skills, be able to facilitate presentations and able to build effective workings relationships.
• Comfortable with numerical and analytical work, you’ll be able to look beyond the surface and dive into the detail, drawing out data driven analysis and conclusions. You will make an impact on the commercial success of the business from the very start of your career with us.

Whitbread welcomes applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK. For our roles, you'll be asked to provide evidence of your right to work during the application process, and you must maintain and be able to demonstrate your right to work throughout the period of employment. Please note that Whitbread is unable to provide visa sponsorship for our graduate roles, as they do not meet the eligibility requirements imposed by the Home Office.

What We Offer:

• Rotations across various Finance roles to broaden your knowledge and experience.
• A range of benefits, including up to 15% annual bonus, BUPA healthcare, pension and 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Discounts of up to 60% on Premier Inn stays and 25% off at our restaurant brands.
• Access to our Sharesave scheme with a 20% discount on Whitbread shares
• Mentoring, peer support and leadership training.

We believe that everyone is unique and there should be no barriers to entry and no limits to ambition. We are committed to being an inclusive organisation that values diversity and welcomes your application whatever your background or situation.

Under-represented groups such as women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities & members of the LGBTQIA+ community (those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans and non-binary or those who use a different LGBTQIA+ term), are strongly encouraged to build a career with us.