IT was definitely case of "glasses raised" for Carl Haytree, manager of Worcester's Slug and Lettuce pub, when he was invited to a celebratory reception at the House of Commons.

He had been invited by owners Stonegate Pub Company to the event in honour of being one of the first 100 managers to complete the company's award winning management-training "Accelerator" programme. To mark the 100th graduate milestone, 50 MPs joined Stonegate’s senior executives in the historic setting setting to congratulate Mr Haytree and other general managers on their achievements. They were given a VIP tour of the House of Commons with MPs before the main event.

Stonegate chief executive Simon Longbottom and chairman Ian Payne addressed guests, highlighting how their own careers and that of commercial director Suzanne Baker, had began in entry level pub roles. Mr Longbottom added: "People are at the heart of everything we do. We are firmly committed to the principle that our people should be able to progress from the bar to the boardroom. We are delighted to able to recognise the achievements of our Accelerator graduates; reaching our 100th milestone is a really proud moment for Stonegate.

“It is also a fantastic opportunity to reinforce to MPs the vital role that our company and the wider pub and bar sector play in providing jobs and careers, with arguably the most realistic prospect of going from the bottom rung right to the very top.”

Jon Perkins, success coach for Stonegate, developed the Accelerator programme and said: “The programme develops both personal and business skills. Its uniqueness is in identifying personal motivators that inspire the skill and the will to succeed.”

Launched in 2013, the Accelerator programme enables high-potential deputy managers to be ready to rise to the challenge of managing their own pub. Already, 104 graduates have progressed to general manager, with a further five in head office roles.