St Austell Brewery chooses MHR’s People First to power HR and payroll transformation
We’re thrilled that St Austell Brewery - independent brewer, drinks wholesaler and pub company, with over 160 sites across the South West - has chosen MHR’s People First platform to modernise its HR and payroll operations.
This partnership marks a significant milestone for both St Austell Brewery and MHR, reflecting a shared commitment to people, culture, and business growth.
With a workforce of over 2,500 year-round employees plus up to 500 seasonal hires, St Austell Brewery needed a system flexible enough to handle a diverse range of roles, pay rates, and working patterns, as well as accommodate regular new starters. As a company whose business vision centres on “People with Passion,” the brewery understands that attracting and retaining top talent across the South West is key to delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving long-term success.
St Austell Brewery contemplated several options to find the best fit for their evolving HR and payroll needs. After further consideration and discussions, they chose to take a fresh look at how People First could deliver the flexibility and insight required. This renewed collaboration allowed our team to showcase the platform’s strengths and how it could be tailored specifically to support their ambitions.
People First will empower St Austell Brewery with a modern, unified platform that simplifies payroll for a complex workforce, including customised recruitment templates designed to keep the candidate experience on brand. The system will also provide valuable insights into workforce performance, enabling the business to make informed decisions to support growth and maintain their high standards.
Multiple experts from across MHR came together to support St Austell Brewery, ensuring the right solution was clearly articulated and tailored. This deal not only represents a major win for MHR but also a defining moment for People First as it continues to prove its strength in the hospitality sector.
“The decision to partner with MHR and People First reflects our commitment to invest in our people and our future. As well as having an ambition to be the South West’s leading employer, our aim is to foster a workspace where opportunities for development, progression and renumeration are fair and inclusive.” said Caroline Harrison, Head of HR Operations at St Austell Brewery. “The platform’s flexibility and comprehensive capabilities align perfectly with our values and business goals. We’re confident this partnership will help us support employees in delivering the exceptional experiences our customers expect.”
At MHR, we’re proud to support St Austell Brewery as they embark on this exciting new chapter with a product that matches their passion for people and excellence.
