Hear from two of our graduates on how their programmes are enabling them to grow their careers.

“The Day in Trade Day gave me the chance to step away from my desk and spend time in pubs across London. I shifted my focus from sustainability to how our brands show up in real life - from quality to presentation. I wanted to see the human side of our business, the conversations and connections that happen every day in trade.” - Thomas

“For me, it was about stepping away from a supply mindset and understanding the demand side of our business. I wanted to see how our commercial teams work with our customers, build relationships and understand what’s needed on the ground. From visiting a busy pub to supporting a Johnnie Walker Ready-To-Drink activation, it gave me a hands-on view of how our brands are brought to life.” - Nainika 

“What stayed with me was how open and constructive the conversations were with customers. Whether things were going well or needed to improve, the discussions were honest, fair and focused on moving forward together. That level of candour is something I want to bring into my own work.” - Thomas 

“What stayed with me is how much we care about our brands. They’re not just products, they’re experiences. I saw that first-hand when we stepped in to help correct a Guinness pour, even the smallest details matter. It also reinforced how important it’s to stay close to our customers, listen properly and build real relationships.” - Nainika 

“I saw that it’s not just about transactions. We work in partnership with our customers. When they’re doing well, we’re doing well too. It’s a shared success.” - Thomas 

“What stood out to me was how relationship driven we are. We don’t jump straight into business, but start by connecting, then move into understanding how things are going. It’s about listening, supporting and building long-term relationships, not just upselling.” - Nainika 

“It made me realise just how broad our commercial operation is. Our products are everywhere, pubs, supermarkets and bars, and that reach is built on strong relationships. Seeing that up close really brought it to life.” - Thomas 

“It gave me a clearer, real-world view of how our commercial function works. From understanding challenges like supply delays in pubs to seeing how we engage consumers during activations, it showed how important execution is. It also made me realise how hands-on these roles are day to day.” - Nainika 

“Seeing how much of the bar is made up of our products, and how much Guinness is being poured, really brought home the scale of our impact. It made me think about how the work we do in sustainability can drive real change at that scale.” - Thomas

“It showed me how closely supply and demand are connected. Seeing delays in kegs and materials at the pub made it clear how what we do in procurement directly impacts the customer experience. It reinforced how important it is to stay agile, plan, and stay connected to what’s happening on the ground.” - Nainika 

“Getting to use the Guinness measurement tool was a highlight. Checking the head, the dome and even the temperature showed how much care goes into every pint. It was great to see that level of detail in action.” - Thomas 

“Learning how to pour the perfect Guinness was something I won’t forget. It looks simple, but there’s real skill in getting it right. Seeing people’s reactions during the Johnnie Walker Ready-To-Drink activation – that excitement and energy – was just as memorable.” - Nainika