Church-sponsored leadership award goes to Airbus UK manager

An IT manager who challenges his colleagues to raise funds for local charities has won an award sponsored by the Church in Wales.

Phil Jones, IT manager of Airbus UK, received the Leadership in Social Responsibility Award at the Leading Wales Awards at a ceremony in Cardiff on Thursday.

The award recognises leaders who make a positive difference to the communities where they work and is one of the eight titles in this year’s Leading Wales Awards.

Mr Jones introduced the Charity Challenge programme to Airbus, in Broughton, more than 20 years ago to underpin the very first attempt at developing a CSR strategy at the company.

It has raised in excess of £4 million for a wide range of local and national charities.

The award was presented by the Rev Canon Robin Morrison, Bishops' Adviser on Church and Society.

He said, “As sponsors of this category we are delighted that Phil Jones of Airbus has won.

"There are exceptional examples of business involvement in social responsibility across Wales.

"Phil has pioneered an innovative scheme of employee involvement, not just raising funds, but through practical help.

"He’s been doing this for at least 20 years with outstanding results, changing colleagues’ lives, as well as people of all ages and groups in his local community.

"This is exactly what the business of the future should look like. The Church in Wales is delighted to be supporting such inspiring work.”

This is the third year n a row that the Leading Wales Award has been sponsored by the Church in Wales.

Last year it sponsored the Business Leader in the Community category which was won by Geraint Lewis, Managing Director of Seven Sisters-based outdoor activity centre, Call Of The Wild.

Leading Wales Awards is an annual event, organised by a consortium of professional institutes, voluntary and public sector as well as private companies.