TOP MARKS AS MANCHESTER AIRPORT WINS BIG TICK AWARDS
Manchester Airport is celebrating a double success, having received two prestigious awards from the Prince of Wales’ charity, Business in the Community at a Gala Dinner.
The work of the Community Relations team at Manchester Airport was honoured with two ‘Big Tick’ awards at the BITC North West’s 2009 Awards Gala Dinner held at The Monastery Manchester in Gorton.
The Big Ticks are the UK’s most influential independent, peer-assessed corporate responsibility awards, recognising and celebrating those companies who have shown innovation, creativity and a sustained commitment to corporate responsibility.
Manchester Airport was awarded the ‘Merrill Lynch Education Award’ for its ‘Education into Employment’ programme. The airport is already the lead sponsor of Parklands High School, shortly to become the Manchester Enterprise Academy. In addition to supporting Parklands, the airport also supports three other Wythenshawe secondary schools and one in Knutsford. The airport’s programme of activity seeks to link its employees with the six key local schools and leverage additional support though our contractors and service partners on site.
Manchester Airport’s Managing Director, Andrew Cornish, said; “Over the last twelve months we have continued our work with our neighbouring communities and schools. Our intentions remain the same, to add value and create opportunity. Our social responsibility activities are at the core of our business and we embrace the opportunities that they provide to develop our own staff.”
The team was also successful with the ‘Power in Partnership Award’ – for companies, who collaborate to positively impact communities – was also awarded to Manchester Airport on behalf of BW3 (the Business Working With Wythenshawe) group. Formed in 2002, BW3 is an alliance of companies who are based in Wythenshawe or who have a special affinity to the area. BW3 is an independent employer led group of organisations chaired by Manchester Airport and aims to support the social and economic regeneration of Wythenshawe through community involvement activities.
Raksha Pattni, Regional Director, Business in the Community, said: “I would like to congratulate Manchester Airport for the work which has led to them being recognised in two award categories. The Airport’s commitment to and understanding of the importance of developing opportunities in its local community is particularly impressive.
“Now more than ever, at a time of reduced income and spending power and diminishing trust in business, businesses need to demonstrate that to be a leading company is to be a responsible one. The Big Tick winners in the North West are certainly flying the flag for responsible business here, and I hope will prove valuable inspiration for others following in their footsteps.”
The team was also nominated for the ‘The Lancaster University Management School Award for Leadership for Sustainability’ in recognition of exceptional leadership contributing to a more sustainable society. This came from their work with the Airport Community Network. The aim being to improve the opportunities and experiences offered to local people to give them the chance to access careers.
15 June 09
Published on: 15/06/2009 15:04:55