Acorns 2021: Bethany Morgan-Jones, 28
General manager, All's Well, Hackney, London
Nominator Chantelle Nicholson, chef-owner, Tredwells and All's Well, London
Bethany Morgan-Jones is a perfect example of how commitment and talent can carve out a varied, exciting hospitality career. Having started at Tredwells in 2015 as a demi chef de partie, she moved swiftly through the kitchen and into marketing. By 2018, she was promoted to guest relations manager and the following year she was overseeing the overall strategy of the restaurant. From there, she slipped effortlessly into her role of general manager to choreograph the opening of sister outlet All's Well in Hackney in October 2020.
The past year has been a test of everyone's mettle, and Morgan-Jones has certainly shown hers. In March 2020, she launched the group's at-home delivery scheme, generating more than £10,000 revenue. She also helped pivot All's Well into a takeaway during the last two national lockdowns, stimulating much-needed cashflow.
She has remained proactive throughout the pandemic and invited Kelly's Cause Foundation to hold their mental health first-aider training in the restaurant's surplus space. She also arranged for a quarter of the team to be trained as mental health first-aiders and is signing the business up to Hospitality Action's employee assistance programme.
She has also completed an MBA specialising in leadership, management, strategy and entrepreneurship, as well as a level 3 WSET certification.
What is the most positive people change you see for your sector post-restrictions?
"The opportunity to reassess how we manage the business, and looking at everything through a fairer lens. We've changed the old way of managing the team, and we're now focusing on mental health and development to create a welcoming and nurturing environment."
Photography: Hospitality Media/Adrian Franklin
