Accelerating Action: The Clover Group and gender equality
Founded in 2017, The Clover Group has built a reputation for regenerating and restoring some of Belfast’s most well-loved and historic establishments.
With a mission to provide unforgettable experiences, the group has transformed venues such as McCracken’s Bar—now the award-winning Henry’s & The Jailhouse—alongside other renowned sites like Pug Uglys, Margot, Fountain Lane, Whites Tavern, The Bone Yard, and the recently launched Whites Garden. Combining history, culture, and innovation, The Clover Group aims to lead the way in delivering the world-renowned warmth of Irish hospitality while continuously expanding its presence in Northern Ireland’s hospitality scene.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, LCN sat down with Abigail Bolton, Head of Marketing at The Clover Group, to discuss the company’s ongoing efforts to foster gender equality in the hospitality industry. This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ serves as a powerful reminder that meaningful change requires more than just conversations—it demands tangible progress.
Turning conversations into action
“For me, ‘Accelerate Action’ is a call to move beyond discussions and actively implement strategies that foster gender equality,” Bolton explains. “It’s about creating opportunities and ensuring that progress happens now – not years down the line.”
She emphasises that The Clover Group is committed to taking proactive steps to support women in the workplace. “We are dedicated to building an inclusive environment where women have equal access to opportunities. That includes ensuring fair hiring practices, creating family-friendly policies and parental leave support, and establishing pathways for women to enter leadership roles within The Clover Group.”
Industry progress and areas for improvement
Reflecting on the hospitality industry, Bolton acknowledges that progress has been made in increasing female representation in management. “Within our own group, we have seen an uplift in females within our management teams,” she says. However, she believes that there is still much work to be done across the industry.
“In the future, it would be good to see more action around areas such as safety for women and girls, as well as better industry-wide support for women with children or those who plan to have children. We believe that addressing these issues would encourage more women to see hospitality as a viable long-term career.”
The importance of female leadership
Bolton highlights the value of diversity in leadership, stating that it fosters innovation, enhances decision-making, and improves customer experiences. “Women bring unique perspectives that enhance workplace culture. Also, representation at the top level of management can inspire the next generation of female leaders.”
Challenges women face in hospitality leadership
Despite progress, women in hospitality still face barriers when advancing into leadership roles. “Some of the biggest challenges include a lack of mentorship and work-life balance constraints, particularly in such a demanding industry,” Bolton explains.
“As a private sector business with little funding or support from the government in terms of rates and VAT, many hospitality sector contracts are constrained to statutory allowances. The allure of better maternity and paid sick packages, weekends off with the family—these factors can create retention issues among higher levels of management.”
Success stories from The Clover Group
The Clover Group has been instrumental in supporting women’s career growth, with numerous success stories within the company. “Across our six sites, we have three female general managers, and within our head office team, four out of the six female members of staff have worked their way up through the company. Additionally, we have many women in junior management roles across the company.”
One standout example is Siobhan McKenna, General Manager of Whites, The Clover Group’s largest venue. “Siobhan worked in Whites from the time she left school and has now been our General Manager for just under two years.”
Another success story is a junior marketing executive who began her career at Henry’s & The Jailhouse as a waitress in 2021. “She is currently studying at Belfast Met through an apprenticeship scheme that will result in a Foundation of Science Degree from Ulster University in Hospitality and Tourism Management—all organised through The Clover Group. She has now worked her way up to join our head office team.”
Advice for women aspiring to leadership in hospitality
Bolton encourages women looking to advance in hospitality to take charge of their own career development. “Find good mentors and build a strong network of contacts. Advocate for yourself and take on opportunities. Continue learning and improving your skills. Believe in your ability to lead and make a difference.”
Strategies for recruiting and retaining diverse talent
The Clover Group is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. “We ensure inclusive hiring practices and provide career development opportunities, including training programmes and platforms such as Mapal and our own in-house training,” Bolton explains.
She also emphasises the importance of work-life balance. “We ensure a clear progression pathway so employees know how they can advance within the company, providing structured development plans and regular check-ins. We also encourage and support all staff members to enter cocktail competitions for personal development.”
Empowering women at every level
Bolton outlines the company’s approach to ensuring women feel supported throughout their careers. “Providing clear career progression paths, encouraging open dialogue about challenges within the workplace, recognising and celebrating achievements, and ensuring senior management provides guidance and career insights—all of these contribute to an empowering work environment.”
Training and development opportunities
Education and training play a crucial role in career advancement. “Through Belfast Met, we have courses open to all staff over the age of 16, as well as additional enrichment training options via Springfield,” Bolton notes.
The future of female leadership in hospitality
Looking ahead, Bolton envisions a future where gender equality in leadership is the norm rather than the exception. “Where gender equity is the norm rather than an exception,” she states simply.
She believes that businesses play a critical role in accelerating change by offering leadership pathways and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. “Providing leadership pathways for women and cultivating inclusive workplace cultures is essential.”
When asked about a major shift she would like to see in the next five years, Bolton highlights the need for better female representation at senior levels. “If I could see one major shift in the industry, it would be closing the gender gap at the top with better representation at higher levels. Our Operations Director, Zoe Watson, is only on the board of Hospitality Ulster as a volunteer—more women should be represented at higher levels within the industry.”
As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, The Clover Group remains dedicated to taking action toward gender equality. Through inclusive hiring practices, leadership opportunities, and a strong focus on work-life balance, the company is actively shaping a future where women have equal access to success in the industry.
This International Women’s Day, The Clover Group reaffirms its commitment to not just talking about change, but making it happen.
