Revolution Bars Group, the leading operator of Revolution, Revolución de Cuba, Playhouse and Founders & Co, has expanded its senior team with two new hires. The latest sees Revolution Bars Group’s executive team move to a female majority for the first time, outlining its ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion with meaningful action.
Alex McMillan (pictured), joins the executive team as Brand Operations Director for Revolución de Cuba, and Maria Hamilton has been appointed as Head of Growth and Digital for the Group.
McMillan’s background in hospitality goes back 25 years, with operations and management roles at the likes of Travelodge, KFC, Welcome Break and, most recently, Mitchells & Butlers. In her new role she will be driving the Revolución de Cuba brand, working to develop campaigns and strategies to grow this arm of the Group’s operation, further raise awareness amongst its target demographic and re-affirm it as ‘the best fiesta in town’.
Hamilton, who joins the business from Fuller’s where she led the digital marketing and customer insight strategy, will be transforming Revolution Bars Group’s digital landscape, leveraging and optimising the potential of existing and new technologies, as well as developing effective growth strategies to help take digital marketing to the next level.
Revolution Bars Group is committed to being a progressive workplace environment, which is evidenced by the positive shift in gender representation across the executive team in recent years. The team is currently 63% female and 37% male – a significant shift from just three years ago when it was 75% male and just 25% female. This commitment to have more balanced representation and leadership is being applied throughout the business, including at GM level, which has also seen a positive shift since 2019.
Rob Pitcher, CEO, Revolution Bars Group, said: “As a business we know that diversity is key to our future and that we are at our best when we bring together our different life experiences, perspectives and individuality. I’m incredibly proud that we’re in a female majority position on our executive team, and excited about the wealth of experience our latest hires will bring to the Revolution Bars Group family.
“Since becoming CEO, the business has focused really hard on championing diversity, and we have made significant improvements to our parental leave policy, on closing the gender pay gap and supporting organisations like Women in Hospitality, Travel & Leisure. We are looking forward to the future and how these new senior appointments will help us deliver our goals and grow the business further.”
Alex McMillan, incoming Brand Operations Director, Revolución de Cuba, said: “I understand the need for more positive female role models, especially in senior operations roles. I’m delighted that Revolución de Cuba has given me this opportunity, but I also know that I secured the role with the help, support and guidance of fabulous female leaders that have been alongside me during my personal development journey.”
Maria Hamilton, incoming Head of Growth and Digital, Revolution Bars Group, said: “As a busy mother of three, I’m proud to be joining a group that’s so committed to its people and inclusivity. It’s inspiring to work for a group that recognises and respects individuals for who they are and, with so many inspiring female role models across the business, it’s refreshing to see it living and breathing its values.”
These latest appointments also outline Revolution Bars Group’s commitment to the development and expansion trail, after recently returning to profitability and posting year-on-year sales up to 1 January 2022 (£74.1m) close to pre-pandemic levels (£81.2m).