Business First September 2017 Business First September 2017 | Page 14

COVER STORY - GEORGE BEST BELFAST CITY AIRPORT
Belfast City Airport leading the way for
Responsible Business in Northern Ireland
Following two high-profile Corporate Responsibility Award wins for George Best Belfast City Airport this year, Corporate Responsibility
and Human Resources Director Michelle Hatfield highlights the hugely positive impact that working responsibly has on the business and
the community.
Members of the George Best Belfast City Airport CR team celebrate the 2017 awards success. Michelle is with Laura Duggan, Environmental Manager, Stephen
Patton, HR and CR Manager, and Paula Bittles, Executive Assistant, who won the inaugural British Irish Expo Unsung Hero Award
eorge Best Belfast City Airport has long
been renowned for its strong Corporate
Responsibility (CR) pedigree, but the
business has scaled new heights recently with
two major award wins further endorsing its
commitment to CR.
In the last six months, the airport has been
named Northern Ireland’s Responsible
Company of the Year by Business in the
Community and won the Right Place to Work
accolade at the Irish News Workplace and
Employment Awards.
Alongside these award successes, the
airport’s Community Fund – one of the main
vehicles through which the airport delivers
its CR strategy – is fast approaching the
£350,000 investment mark.
These are just a few examples of why 2017
has been an extremely strong year so far,
along with co­hosting in April one of the most
successful Routes Europe conferences in
recent years – an event at which over 1,200
aviation delegates experienced the warmth
and charm of Belfast.
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Michelle Hatfield, Corporate Responsibility
and HR Director, heads up the CR and HR
teams at the airport. Recognised by the
Institute of Directors in 2014 as UK Director
of the Year for Leadership in Corporate
Responsibility and with more than 10 years
of experience in the aviation and CR industry,
Michelle ensures CR permeates throughout
every aspect of the business.
Award­winning strategy
Michelle said: “As a key economic and
tourism driver for Northern Ireland, and one
of the biggest employers in east Belfast, it is
vital that we play a significant role in the
community we serve.
“Our CR strategy is driven by listening;
listening to the local community and our staff
to ensure our work is addressing the needs of
the community.
“It has been developed to ensure we are
acting responsibly in all areas of our business,
focusing on four core strands – People,
Environment, Community and Education.
This strategy is championed by our Chief
Executive, Brian Ambrose, and is at the core
of all our operations.
“Within this strategy, there is a strong
emphasis on young people and helping them
realise their ambitions by presenting them
with opportunities and experiences they may
not have otherwise had.
“Our approach to CR allows us to offer
support and provide opportunities to
neighbouring groups and individuals, as well
as encouraging our staff to engage in
volunteering and personal development
where possible. Our invaluable partnerships
with schools and local community groups
really make a difference, positively affecting
thousands of people.”
Community Fund
Established eight years ago, the airport’s
Community Fund aims to enrich and support
the local community through investing in
educational, community and environmental
projects in greater Belfast and North Down.