Press Release

Gatwick’s Employment Forum focuses on Customer Service


16 March 2006

BAA Gatwick today hosts its sixth annual Employment Forum at the Sofitel London Gatwick Hotel.

The Forum was established in 2000, as part of Gatwick’s ground-breaking sustainable development strategy, and aims to address employment issues for airport companies today and in the future.

The Forum was set up as part of a Legal Agreement and involves businesses, local authorities and other groups, to identify recruitment strategies and projects that support the airport’s future growth, which will see the number of passengers who travel through the airport rise from its current 32.5 million to around 40 million a year by 2012.

The annual event provides an opportunity to update organisations and other local stakeholders on progress made throughout the year, such as the opening of a new Learning and Development Centre in November last year. The event will also be the launch-pad for a new initiative, the “Gatwick Commuter”, designed to encourage airport staff to consider alternative travelling arrangements to and from work, other than by private car.

Around 35 airport employers ranging from airlines to ground handling companies and from retailers to car rental companies as well as local stakeholders are expected to attend today’s event.

The Forum will be opened by Paul Griffiths, Managing Director, BAA Gatwick and keynote speaker Michael Coughlin, Chief Executive Crawley Borough Council, will highlight the importance of Gatwick as an economic driver for the region, currently providing employment for around 25,000 people and set to rise to around 27,000 in line with future development plans.

Travel journalist Simon Calder will lead a discussion about how the airport community can work together to deliver excellent customer service including the introduction of a staff induction and training programme. Simon will also share his personal experiences of customer service from his many journeys around the world.

Paul Griffiths, Managing Director, BAA Gatwick said: “The Employment Forum is a fantastic opportunity for the airport community to come together to discuss how we continue to be an attractive and inspiring place to work, for people of all ages, who want to be part of a vibrant and fast moving international airport.”

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