About Oakman Inns & Restaurants

Oakman Inns and Restaurants have redefined the concept of the modern public house, offering contemporary boutique accommodation, premium drink and casual dining experiences within the heart of their local communities.

The firm was founded in 2007 by Chief Executive Officer Peter Borg-Neal and has established a new concept of the ‘modern public house’ by successfully transforming both historic and modern buildings into contemporary spaces with a strong sense of identity and integration within their local communities.

The first venture was The Akeman in Tring, Hertfordshire, which set the standard with an imaginative Mediterranean and modern British food menu. The firm’s headquarters remain in Tring.

There are now 15 Oakman Inns and Restaurants across the home counties, several of which double as hotels, employing almost 1,000 staff.

Their sites are characterised by cooking methods including the Josper oven and the wood-fired oven, with emphasis on freshness, quality and taste.

What is it like to work for Oakman Inns & Restaurants

Personal Growth

84% of staff agreed:

The experience I gain from this job is valuable for my future

Development is varied, diverse and open to all. At the heart is Oakmanology, their award-winning learning hub that takes employees through both craft and leadership development. The hub uses a mix of online micro-learning opportunities including fact sheets, quizzes, e-learning, face-to-face training and assessments.

84% of staff agreed:

The experience I gain from this job is valuable for my future

Wellbeing

77% of staff disagreed:

My health is suffering because of my work

All Oakman managers are trained and coached to be non-judgemental and to listen to the concerns of the team, whether the issue is work or home-related. All managers and head chefs have also received mental health first-aider training across the business.

77% of staff disagreed:

My health is suffering because of my work

Giving Something Back

89% of staff agreed:

My organisation encourages charitable activities

Every Oakman Inn supports at least one local sports club, as well as numerous local charities, including Herts Air Ambulance, Special Effects and the Hospice of St Francis. They support local schools with their fundraising as well as contributing to their work placement experiences.

89% of staff agreed:

My organisation encourages charitable activities

Learn more about the 8 factors of workplace engagement here