International Men's Day: A conversation with Matt Dixon

As we celebrate International Men’s Day, we’re shining a light on the stories and perspectives of men across Greene King. We spoke to Matt Dixon, who has built a rewarding career with Greene King, progressing from a General Manager role in our pubs to a Support Centre position while also completing a Level 5 apprenticeship. Matt shares his journey, what he’s learned along the way, and his advice for other young men looking to grow their careers.

My move into a Support Centre role came from a desire to have an influence on a wider scale, to help our pubs deliver the best possible experience for our customers. I built relationships and connections with people in the Support Centre, which really opened doors for me. I’d encourage anyone looking to take a similar path to do the same. Reach out to different teams, ask to spend a day in the office or in trade with them, and take the time to understand what they do and how you might fit in. Seek to understand first, that’s the best way to find where you can add value.

No two days are the same! I could be answering pubs’ PQS tickets, supporting a General Manager with an investment, attending an Ops meeting, delivering a project with my colleagues, or pitching a new idea. Whatever the day holds, the priority is always the same, doing our best to support the pubs and Ops teams so they can make the right decisions.

I’m doing the Level 5 Operations Management apprenticeship. I’m always looking for ways to develop myself, and this felt like a great opportunity to do just that. It’s given me new skills and knowledge that I can apply both in my role and in life more generally. It’s also helped me build relationships with other Greene King colleagues across the business.

My goal is to complete my Level 5 to the best of my ability and see where that takes me.

The skills days in the Level 5 programme are brilliant, really interactive and insightful, and the support I get from Lifetime is exactly what I need to stay on track. My line manager has also been really encouraging and gives me time in my working week to focus on the apprenticeship, which makes a big difference.

All of this support has helped me grow both personally and professionally. I understand people better, why they behave or react in certain ways, and I’ve gained the confidence to challenge appropriately. I’ve also learned how powerful self-reflection can be, helping me have more effective conversations and continue developing in how I communicate.

Don’t be afraid to learn or try something new. It’s not always easy, but with good application and motivation, the apprenticeship programme will only benefit you. Have the courage to take that first step.

Have confidence and believe in yourself! If you want to try something new, it’s not going to happen unless you put yourself out there.

Take the chance. You never know where it might lead.