Building a better tomorrow - Why Newcastle Airport is backing Inspiring Women in Business Awards

As the countdown continues to this year’s North East Chamber of Commerce Inspiring Women in Business Awards, Bdaily speaks to Alice Andreasen, chief corporate affairs officer at Newcastle Airport, about the travel hub’s headline sponsorship of the event, its commitment to helping more women succeed and how a joined-up approach across the region will help more talent thrive.

Newcastle Airport is headline sponsor of this year’s North East Chamber of Commerce Inspiring Women in Business Awards. Tell us about the significance of the partnership.

This is the third year the airport has sponsored the Inspiring Women in Business Awards.

As the North East’s international gateway and one of the region’s largest employers, we are passionate about championing talented women from a wide range of industries who help our region thrive.

These awards provide an important platform to celebrate outstanding achievements, recognise those driving innovation and positive change, and shine a spotlight on the role models and mentors who are inspiring future generations of female leaders.

Supporting women and creating opportunities for them to succeed is deeply embedded in our culture.

Women play a vital role across every area of the airport, from customer-facing and operational roles to technical positions and senior leadership.

Their expertise and dedication are instrumental to the success of our business and the world-class services we provide for passengers.

This partnership is particularly significant because it reflects our belief that talent should have no barriers.

By recognising inspirational individuals and forward-thinking organisations, the awards not only celebrate success today, but also help encourage more women to pursue ambitious careers, step into leadership roles and realise their full potential.

Alice Andreasen, chief corporate affairs officer at Newcastle Airport

The awards celebrate women making a difference across the region. Just how important is it to have visible role models that can inspire the next generation of North East female leaders?

Role models are incredibly important because they show what is possible. 

When women can see others succeeding, it helps inspire confidence and belief in their own potential.

At the airport, we are committed to creating opportunities for people to learn and be inspired by others. 

Through our Women in Leadership network, which I chair, we host regular events that bring our people together to share experiences, celebrate achievements and learn from one another.

We also invite guest speakers from across the North East business community to share their personal career journeys, offering valuable insights and demonstrating what can be achieved.

We are continuing to see more and more women from across the business attend these events, which highlights just how powerful visible role models can be.

Supporting women’s progression is key to airport operations, with the base having recently welcomed its first female firefighters. What does that say about the airport’s commitment to inclusive career pathways?

As one of the region’s largest employers, the airport supports more than 3500 jobs on site and a further 17,000 roles through its wider supply chain.

Across the business, there are more than 120 different roles spanning 20 departments, creating a diverse range of career opportunities for people of all skills, backgrounds and ambitions.

The appointment of our first female firefighters is a significant milestone and reflects our commitment to attracting talented people from all backgrounds, while creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and build rewarding careers.

Welcoming women into roles within our fire service demonstrates that talent, capability and determination are what matter most. 

It also sends an important message that opportunities across the airport are open to everyone, regardless of gender.

For us, it’s about ensuring everyone can see a future for themselves here. 

By creating clear pathways for progression and fostering a culture where people feel supported to develop and succeed, we’re building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve while strengthening the business for the future.

Pictured, from left to right, are firefighters Josh Evans, Alix Peoples and Lily Jackson; Tony Fatkin, fire service manager; and firefighters Amy Ramsey and Kevin Morland at Newcastle International Airport

The firefighter milestone also works to further dispel the assumption that the aviation sector remains a male-dominated domain. How is the airport operating more widely to challenge perceptions and encourage women to enter the industry?

The aviation industry has changed significantly over the years, and we’re seeing more women build successful careers across every part of the sector. 

At the airport, we’re committed to raising awareness of the wide variety of roles available and encouraging people from all backgrounds to consider a career in aviation.

One of the best examples of this is passenger services manager Charlotte Birkett.

Charlotte joined us in 2017 through our ambassador programme while studying at Newcastle College, where she gained valuable experience working with teams across the airport.

Her drive, professionalism and commitment saw her progress through the business, and she now leads our passenger services team. 

In 2023, she was recognised as the 'One to Watch' at the Inspiring Women in Business Awards, highlighting her achievements and career progression.

Creating opportunities for young people is a key part of how we challenge perceptions of the industry. 

Through our longstanding partnership with Newcastle College, we actively promote the breadth of careers available at the airport and within aviation more widely.

Last year, we welcomed 92 students through our ambassador programme. 

They gained first-hand experience of the industry by working alongside our passenger services and security teams. 

More than 30 students have since gone on to secure full-time roles with the airport and our business partners, showcasing the talent of young people in the region.

By showcasing these achievements externally and with our people and business partners, we’re helping to challenge outdated perceptions and demonstrate that aviation offers exciting and rewarding careers for everyone.

The airport is entering an exciting period of transformation, with new flights and a terminal expansion matched by plans for an extended runway. How important is attracting and developing diverse talent to the site’s success blueprint?

As outlined in our 2040 masterplan, the airport has entered an exciting period of growth. 

By 2040, our plans could see us contribute up to £1.9 billion in GVA to the North East economy, employ around 5000 staff on the airport site and support 32,000 jobs through our supply chain.

The success of those plans will be built on our people. 

We already have an incredibly talented and dedicated workforce whose skills, expertise and commitment are helping to drive the airport forward and deliver a world-class experience for passengers.

At the same time, we continue to invest in attracting and developing the next generation of talent. 

Recruitment remains strong across the airport and our wider business community, reflecting the exciting opportunities that aviation offers and the confidence in our long-term growth plans.

With more than 120 roles across 20 departments, we know diverse teams make us a stronger and more innovative business. 

Building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, while creating opportunities for people to develop and progress, will remain a key part of our success.

What more can businesses do collectively over coming years to ensure women have the opportunities, support and confidence to reach their full potential?

Creating more opportunities for women requires a collective effort.

That means fostering inclusive workplace cultures, supporting career development, providing mentoring opportunities and ensuring pathways into leadership are accessible to everyone.

It’s also important we continue to celebrate success and provide visible role models. 

Events such as the Inspiring Women in Business Awards help shine a light on remarkable achievements and encourage more women to pursue their ambitions with confidence. 

By working together, businesses can help unlock even more talent and strengthen the North East economy for the future.

• Submissions for the Inspiring Women in Business Awards 2026 close on September 4. For more information, click here.

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