STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS


It’s time for us to really take flight By Karen Smart (pictured), Managing Director, East Midlands Airport (EMA)


What excites me most about my new role as Managing Director is the huge potential here. This airport has one of the


largest population catchments of any UK airport. We’re located in the heart of the country, neighboured by three great cities and have the capacity to accommodate more flights and larger planes. My focus is working out how we


want to grow, what’s realistic and where this growth will come from. The Government’s recent


backing for a third runway at Heathrow presents an opportunity for EMA. It is clear the Government backs other UK airports looking to make best use of existing runway capacity. Currently, there’s very little capacity in the South East for aviation growth so some will need to come from regional airports. EMA is perfectly positioned with great motorway links to respond to the demand. We’re talking to a number of


airlines about new routes and increased capacity, but fundamental to our growth is securing links to Europe’s major hub airports from where passengers can catch connecting flights all over the world. A key


piece of work we’re focused on is better understanding the corporate demand for flights. Locally, businesses say to me, “if


only you flew to x, I’d use EMA”. Our job is to convince airlines that there is demand for certain routes. Last summer was our busiest


since 2008 and we’re hoping to build on this and make 2018 one of our strongest years in terms of passenger numbers. We’ve made a strong start which is promising. In terms of cargo, we continue to


perform very strongly so it’s a matter of consolidating this. Our status as the UK’s busiest pure cargo airport will be enhanced by the need for increased capacity from our cargo operators as we see the demand for next day deliveries and ecommerce grow. Key to future growth is


improving access to the airport. At London Stansted, a quarter of passengers used rail to get to the airport. Here, only one per cent of passengers arrive through East Midlands Parkway. We’re lobbying for better rail services to this station, increased frequency and improved timetabling. We’re also beginning to think about how this airport can benefit from the wider


connectivity linked to HS2 Toton. The airport is an asset for the


whole of the Midlands. The airport’s growth is as much dependent upon the health of the region as the region is on the airport. Over the next few years, the airport and its


environs will become a major economic force. To capitalise on this and ensure everyone benefits from it, local authorities, the business community and central Government all need to work as one if we are to fulfil our potential.


Firm aims to make plastic fantastic


Samworth Brothers has announced its commitment to the UK Plastics Pact, launched recently by the sustainability experts WRAP (Waste and Resource Action Programme). The UK Plastics Pact is a


Deborah Carlin


trailblazing, collaborative initiative that aims to create a circular economy for plastics and ensure that plastics do not end up in the environment. It aims to deliver


ambitious targets for change by 2025. It fits strongly with the


Samworth Brothers’ Today, Tomorrow, Together Responsible Business strategy, which incorporates its environmental action and communication programme, The 4R Plan. Samworth Brothers is one of the


first chilled food manufacturers to sign up to the commitment.


Deborah Carlin, Group


Sustainability Manager, said: “We take our responsibilities to protect the environment seriously and being part of the UK Plastics Pact demonstrates how sincere we are about tackling this issue. “We strive to be a responsible


business and this is just one element of Samworth Brothers’ plastic packaging reduction plan, Project Blue Planet.”


THE CHAMBER IS HONOURED BY THE SUPPORT OF ITS STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS


business network July/August 2018


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