Celebrating National Sisters Day: Stories of sibling bonding at M&B

What is National Sister Day?

National Sisters Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate that special bond with your sister, whether she's your best friend, your biggest rival, or a bit of both! 

This day is all about appreciating those late-night chats, shared wardrobes, and the countless inside jokes that only sisters can understand. 

When is National Sister Day?

National Sister Day is celebrated on the 1st Sunday of August every year where we celebrate all the joys of having a sister involve. Some people may live with their sister or some may work with their sister. There’s no better time to show off our proudest sibling employees here at M&B and hear about what is great about working alongside your sister………and brothers! 

We caught up with Ben Chater, Area Manager for Vintage Inns in the Midlands, to find out just what he loves so much about being part of such a huge family, and the roles the Chater family play at M&B, with a whopping 70 years combined length of service between them….. 

How many siblings form the Chater family, and how many Chaters work at MAB?

There are nine Chater siblings in total, six of which work for M&B currently. All but one have worked for MAB at some point whilst studying at college or university too. 

Which function/ departments do yourself and your siblings in MAB work across?

I am currently working for Vintage Inns as an RBM for the Midlands district. Liz is General Manager for PCP at the Crown in Wergs. Matt is General Manager for Ember at the Foley Arms in Stourbridge. Tim is also a General Manager for Ember at the Old White Horse in Stourbridge. Seb works for the SWS Team as a Stock & Labour Systems Specialist and finally Oli is an Area Manager for Ember at the Foley Arms in Stourbridge.

Who joined MAB first, and what is the combined length of service between you all?

I joined MAB first back in 2003, very much needing some money whilst back at home from university. I started off by working at the Old White Horse in Stourbridge as a part-time team member, then transferring up to a High Street site in Liverpool where I was studying at the time. 

After university I applied for the Retail Graduate Programme and then started my journey into management, it was at this point that recruiting for busy seasons in the pub became easy as I had plenty of family to call on to get cover for those busy shifts! One by one the majority of the family worked in businesses for either myself, Liz or Matt and we now have nearly 70 years combined service between the family.

What is your favourite thing about coming from a large family?

The best thing about coming from a large family (apart from finding cover when needed) is that there is always someone to call upon when needed. The family are close and will always support each other through the good and the bad times.

How do you deal with large events such as Easter, Christmas etc. with so many of you working in the industry- do you choose another day to celebrate on?

With so many working in hospitality we tend to find alternative dates over the holiday periods to celebrate as a family. This can sometimes prove a little bit challenging to orchestrate, however as we have always learnt, you need to make the time for your family as they will always be the ones there for you.

I am sure that our parents would much prefer to be celebrating on Christmas Day with the whole family and remind me that I was the one that started everyone in the industry, however when we are together we more than make up for it, with 9 children and 14 grandkids, the celebrations always tend to be pretty big affairs, so we more than make up for it!

Embracing the family feel at M&B

At Mitchells & Butlers, we believe in the power of family, both at home and at work. National Sisters Day is a fantastic reminder of the bonds that make our lives richer and our work more meaningful. 

Whether it's working alongside your siblings or finding a family-like camaraderie among colleagues, the sense of belonging and support is what makes M&B special.

Learn more about the values that make us, us.