2004

TOP-FLIGHT WORKPLACE FOR A SECOND YEAR RUNNING

Friday, 5 March 2004

EMPLOYEES at Flight Centre UK have for the second year voted their company a great place to work and propelled the company into fourth place on the list of the top 100 companies to work for in Britain.

The UK's fastest growing independent travel retailer was last night (Thursday) presented with the prestigious award for being placed fourth in the annual survey conducted by the Sunday Times. Flight Centre also received a special award for training and development in recognition of the company's in-house training department the 'Learning Centre'.

Employees gave the company top marks in 17 out of the 65 employee questions, including camaraderie and management, achieving the highest marks in more categories than any other company on the list.

Gary Hogan, managing director of Flight Centre UK, said for the company to be recognised as one of the UK's top employers was a great honour given that it was based on employees' feedback.

"Making onto the list for a second year running is very exciting for us, and we are especially proud of being given the special award for training and development. Flight Centre is a people-focused business and our philosophy on cultivating personal and career development that gives a strong degree of empowerment to our employees.

"We are extremely innovative as a company and offer a number of extra benefits including free in-house financial planning and health and fitness services, which help employees focus on their personal and financial growth as well as their career progression,"

The Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For list identifies Britain's best employers by surveying 250 randomly selected employees from the company, and then following this up with an assessment by the Sunday Times.

The survey evaluates employee's trust in management, pride in their work and the company, and staff satisfaction and camaraderie. Employees were also asked to fill out a cultural assessment of the company looking at company structure, ownership and benefits.

Flight Centre has 550 employees and more than 90 stores in the UK. The company is part of Flight Centre Limited, one of the world's leading travel retailers, with operations in more than 1,200 stores in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, Canada and Hong Kong.

SEND: Media enquiries to Gary Hogan on 07970825999

Issued by Karin Jones, communications manager, Flight Centre UK Tel: 07990 553 839 or Email: karin_jones@flightcentre.co.uk