On its first attempt at gaining Best Companies accreditation for employer excellence, Gatwick-based Air Partner has qualified for ‘first class’ star status in the nationwide scheme.
Mark Briffa, Chief Operating Officer, said: “This is a great endorsement for the work we have undertaken over recent years to provide the best possible career and development opportunities, as well as a team spirited and fun employment environment, for every member of the Air Partner team.
“We take the health of the company very seriously and receiving a Best Companies star rating first time around provides further encouragement to continually progress our internal strategy.
“A year ago we introduced our own training academy, designed to develop an individual’s personal skills at starter, expert or management level, and every Board member attends leadership skills courses at Cranfield School of Management. We see this as an essential commitment in a service business where excellence is an everyday requirement.”
Best Companies surveyed Air Partner’s UK staff at its Gatwick HQ and Biggin Hill airport locations through a confidential and voluntary questionnaire. This provided comprehensive feedback across eight critical areas of workplace performance and practice including leadership, personal growth, well being, fair pay and benefits, and communication.
“The process provided us with a fantastic opportunity to engage our people and to gain honest and valuable feedback from them,” added Mr Briffa. “The robust data obtained will enable us to work towards achieving an ‘outstanding’ two star award, or even an ‘extraordinary’ three stars, in future years. We are looking forward to the challenge.”
The Best Companies Guide is published by Best Companies Ltd., the company behind the prestigious Sunday Times list of 100 Best Companies to Work For. The model of employee engagement is based on a survey system that has been rigorously developed over the past seven years. Aimed at graduates and jobseekers, the 2009 edition represents the voice of more than 200,000 employees working for the UK’s top 640 companies.
