Finance Graduate

Premier Inn; Houghton Regis; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 15% annual bonus

BUPA healthcare

Pension

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Discounts on Premier Inn stays

Sharesave scheme

Mentoring

Job summary

Whitbread, the UK’s largest hospitality company, invites graduates to join its Finance Graduate Programme in Dunstable. You will rotate across Finance functions, studying toward CIMA, ACCA or ACA with mentoring and leadership training.

The programme offers a starting salary of £34,000 with progression upon passing exams, a hybrid working pattern requiring at least three days in the office, and a pathway to a junior leadership role within Whitbread.

Qualifications

• Degree in a numerate or analytical discipline with 2:1 (achieved or within last 2 years).
• Strong numerical and analytical abilities with the ability to dive into data and draw insights.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to present and build relationships across teams.

Responsibilities

• Three rotations across the Finance function to build hands-on experience.
• Study towards CIMA/ACCA/ACA with mentoring and leadership training.
• Support junior leadership development and contribute to commercial decisions.

Skills

Analytical

Numerical

Communication skills

Data analysis

Presentation skills

Education

Numerate/analytical degree (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.

Our Finance Graduate Programme offers 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 working 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. Speak to us about workplace adjustments and flexible working, where possible we will support this.