GMs making their mark: Helen Taylor, The Anchor, Broughty Ferry

Ahead of International Women’s Day on Wednesday, 8 March, DRAM celebrates just a few of Scotland’s inspirational female general managers who are making their mark on the licensed trade.

Today, we speak to Helen Taylor, who co-manages The Anchor in Broughty Ferry. She talks about what lured her back to a career in the licensed trade and how she’s helped The Anchor stay afloat during turbulent times.

Name: Helen Taylor

Role: Co-manager, The Anchor

Location: Broughty Ferry, Dundee

Age: 45

Helen Taylor, co-manager of The Anchor in Broughty Ferry, landed her first management job at the city’s Colosseum nightclub when she was 18 and has since held management roles across numerous pubs and clubs in the area, including four years running The Bond in Dundee.

After a brief hiatus in 2010 she returned to the licensed trade to run The Anchor. Helen says, “I had ideas of working in an office but I quickly changed my mind!

“I’ve been friends with owner Jeff for 20 years and that lured me back. We have the same high standards and he gives me lots of scope for what I can do with the place.”

She’s been there for four years and co-manages a team of 40 staff. A highlight for Helen was winning The Sunday Mail Pub of the Year award at the last Scottish Bar and Pub Awards. Helen says, “It’s voted for by customers and that meant a lot.”

Helen believes emphasis on excellent customer service, staff training and investing in quality produce has helped The Anchor stay afloat during turbulent times for the trade.

She adds, “We’re lucky the place is always really busy, even on a Monday night, which I think says a lot about our approach to customer service.”

“Most people in The Anchor will call me a control freak but you need that to keep on top of what’s going on around you and make sure you’re running the business way you want too.”

When I’m not in the pub: My nights out are usually in The Anchor – Karaoke night with the staff on a Thursday!

Star sign: Capricorn, stubborn as a goat!

Click below to meet more inspirational general managers in the Scottish on-trade

Therese Grethe, Waxy O’Connors, Glasgow

Geraldine Murphy, The Pot Still, Glasgow

Babs Steele, The Allison Arms, Glasgow

Gayle Copland, The Wine Press, Dundee

Rozlynn Gavin, The Applebank Inn, Larkhall

Nicola Haslam, The Seven Kings, Dunfermline

Sandy Gourlay, Oran Mor, Glasgow

Lynda McGaw, The Parkville Hotel, Blantyre

Jade Cunningham, O’Shannons, Kilmarnock

Beth Harding, Montpeliers, Edinburgh