Celebrating Our Team at Roslyns: A Profile on Dan Watson

In the second of profiles on team Roslyns, we had a chat with Dan Watson, the Roslyns Business Development Manager for the North West and North Wales regions.

Dan is a much respected BDM by colleagues, clients and his fellow industry professionals and recently celebrated his 10^th anniversary with Roslyns.

So, we talked about how Dan got started with Roslyns, how the past 10 years have been, and what he thinks about the next 10 years for the pub industry.

Dan's Journey at Roslyns

What first attracted you to the stocktaking role at Roslyn's ten years ago?

Ten years ago, I was working in hotel management as a deputy GM, overseeing a restaurant along with weddings and functions and events. I'd worked hard to reach that point in my career, but I guess I began to feel that there might be something more for me beyond the traditional path. And I knew a nine to five job wasn't the right fit.I had gained a wealth of experience and knowledge that I didn't want to leave behind and I wanted a new challenge, something that would allow me to apply the skills that I've developed with, while staying within the hospitality industry.

What led me to apply for the stocks team job back in 2015?I mean, it was almost the perfect opportunity to continue supporting the sector that I loved to work in, while bringing potential value to the business and individuals that I would hopefully have the opportunity to work with in the future.

What do you remember most about your first week on the job?

I still remember the first day quite clearly. It was my 30th birthday. I'd been paired with an auditor, Steve Hughes, who managed sites in the region that I would eventually be assigned to. I knew Steve from a previous role as he had handled stocktaking for the hotel group that I’d worked for at that time.

He turned out to be an excellent trainer, played a big part in helping me see the role that I would undertake, but to see it from a completely new perspective, and this time no longer as a client, but actually, as someone who was providing that service to our clients.

And I remember being home at a slightly more reasonable hour, sitting down and having dinner with my now wife. After years of hotel management, it was quite a new and welcoming experience to be back at having dinner at a dining table as opposed to on the job at a kitchen passe.

It's been 10 years now, what would you say you're most proud of from your time at Roslyn's over that decade?

I'm really proud of the person that I've grown into thanks to my time at Roslyn's. Even though I came here with experience as a deputy GM, the roles that I've had within Roslyn's have helped me develop in new ways, and they've helped me build my confidence and teach me the importance of self-belief. It's been a journey of personal and professional growth, really, and I'm grateful for the opportunities and support that I've had along the way to help me take on the new challenges with confidence really.

Tell me about a typical day in your current role as business development manager.

Wow, I'm not sure there is a typical day really, to be honest, as a BDM my role is all about adapting to the needs of our clients and being there to support them in whatever way they need. Some days see me on the road in meetings with two, three or even four different businesses, reviewing their latest accounts and talking through next steps face to face.

Other days I'm working with brand new clients helping them from day one with business planning and financial forecasting. I suppose if there's one constant in my day, it's that I'm always looking for ways to add value to the clients that I speak with, whether in person or over the phone or virtually. And I suppose that's what drives me as it's at the heart of what we do as a company every single day.

How would you describe the culture at Roslyn's and how it's evolved over the years?

Over the past 10 years with Roslyn's, one thing that's really stood out to me is the company's ability to bring in talent from the hospitality industry or to welcome those just starting out or looking to take the next step in their careers. Senior team members, whether they're based in the office or in the field, have a real knack for spotting and nurturing potential and wanting you to be your best. And it's not just talk, the support runs right through every level of the business and it feels like there's a genuine desire to help you grow and develop to hopefully reach your full potential, whatever that might be.

What keeps you motivated and inspired to stay and grow within the company?

I guess what really keeps me motivated is not knowing exactly what each day will bring. Unlike some jobs with quite rigid job descriptions, this role lets me stay close to an industry I've been part of since leaving school, peeling potatoes and washing pots. And it's helped me to continue enjoy being part of that but also whilst making sure that no two days are really the same.

Every person I speak to, I like to think that I'm helping to support them and add value to the business and that's a huge motivator to start each new day really. And on top of that there's an incredible team within Roslyns.

Also within the BDM department, we work across the entire UK and might only see each other two or three times a year, but there's always someone ready to lend a hand whenever that's needed and that support really makes a difference.

What advice would you give someone just starting out as a stock taker or in the hospitality support industry?

I think it's a fantastic way to stay close to an industry you've probably enjoyed for some time, but may be ready to explore a fresh new perspective of it. That said, I'll be honest, it's not a simple job. It takes just as much motivation and hard work as any role within the hospitality industry. But the reward comes from the satisfaction of knowing you’ve played a small part in helping someone's business to succeed, and that's what makes it all worthwhile.

What have you learned about pub businesses that most people don't realise?

I have thought about this quite a lot and I suppose my answer is, I guess that it's no easy journey. I think back to me being a youngster and being given the chance to visit a pub every Sunday lunchtime to play dominoes with my dad and my grandad.

Pubs back then had an element of regularity to them, you knew what to expect when you opened the doors each day, but things have changed massively over recent years, and since COVID.

To run a successful business now you need to spend as much time working on the business as you do behind the bar serving customers.

And being dynamic about your approach to that business too.

What do you think is going to change in the next 10 years and how should businesses prepare for that kind of change in the industry?

Personally, I think the businesses that really know their customers and are willing to adapt and diversify if needs be and make changes are likely to be the ones that will thrive. Customer trends are always evolving and changing as well, and I think the business owners who are truly invested in their own businesses success or maybe willing to be self-critical and surround themselves with strong support and advice will be the ones to reap the rewards of being part of what is a fantastic sector to work in.

Trends within the industry are always changing and from a business owner's point of view, it's about staying relevant. It's about knowing what you are and where you fit within the market that’s around you.

I think it will be an ever-changing market and that those who are willing to embrace these changes will succeed.