Leeds Bradford Airport celebrates colleagues at inaugural Employee Excellence Awards

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) has celebrated the dedication, teamwork and outstanding contributions of its colleagues at its inaugural Employee Excellence Awards.

Held at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 4 November, the awards brought colleagues from across the airport together for an evening recognising the people who go above and beyond to make a difference to passengers, their teammates and the wider business.

The awards celebrate colleagues who demonstrate LBA's three core values – One Team, Be The Best and Do The Right Thing, recognising the positive impact they make every day.

Following a fantastic response to the first year of nominations, six awards were presented, celebrating inspiring examples of teamwork, professionalism, kindness and commitment.

Celebrating our winners

• One Team – Matthew Talbot, Health & Safety Coordinator - Matthew was recognised for his willingness to support colleagues across the business, regularly stepping beyond his own role to help other teams. Whether supporting the landside bus operation or taking on additional Customer Experience shifts during the busy summer season, Matthew is always ready to lend a hand.
• Do The Right Thing – Humera Shazad, Security Officer - Humera was recognised for her honesty, integrity and professionalism, alongside her commitment to looking after others. Her nomination highlighted an occasion when she showed exceptional courage by stepping in to protect and support a fellow security colleague during an altercation with a passenger.
  
  
• Be The Best – Emma Broadhead, Head of Commercial Operations - Emma was celebrated for her outstanding contribution to LBA's X25 development programme, playing a key role in delivering multiple new retail and commercial outlets, many ahead of schedule. Her determination, commitment and ability to overcome challenges helped make a significant contribution to the successful delivery of the project.
  
  
• Rising Star – Beth Goldthorp, Engineering Project Manager - Since joining LBA in 2025, Beth has made a fantastic impact, particularly through her contribution to the X25 project. Recognised for her expertise, enthusiasm and willingness to go the extra mile, she has quickly established herself as a valued member of the Engineering team.
• Everyday Hero – Simon Price, Customer Experience Officer - Described as an absolute ray of sunshine, Simon was recognised for the warmth and positivity he brings to his role, helping passengers navigate the terminal and making time to check in with colleagues. His nomination was a wonderful reminder that small acts of kindness can make a big difference to someone's day.
  
  
• LBA Superstar of the Year – Chris Pilkington, Customer Experience Supervisor - The overall LBA Superstar of the Year award went to Chris, recognising his exceptional dedication to supporting colleagues. Always willing to step in at short notice to support the operation, Chris is also known for the genuine care he shows his teammates beyond the workplace. His nomination highlighted how he visits colleagues in hospital and delivers home-cooked meals to those facing serious health challenges.
  
  

Recognising long service

The evening also provided an opportunity to celebrate colleagues reaching significant long-service milestones, recognising the experience, dedication and commitment they have brought to LBA over the years.

Milestones celebrated included 40 years of service, alongside colleagues marking 30, 20 and 10 years with the airport.

Congratulations to Jim Atkinson (40 years); Tariq Iqbal and Tim Bolshaw (30 years); Narinder Panesar (20 years); and Charles Johnson, Josh Helliwell, Samantha Rawnsley, Shane Bickers and Mohammed Khan (10 years).

Vincent Hodder, Chief Executive Officer at Leeds Bradford Airport, said:

"Our LBA Employee Excellence Awards are all about celebrating the very best of LBA and recognising the contribution our colleagues make to our customers, to each other and to the success of the business.
Introducing a formal programme to recognise and celebrate these achievements is another important part of our evolution as a better business, a better employer and a stronger community.

Every nominee and winner has demonstrated what it means to live our values – One Team, Be The Best and Do The Right Thing, setting an example and showing real leadership for the rest of us to follow.

Congratulations to all our nominees and, of course, our winners. Thank you for everything you do, the positive difference you make every day and for helping make LBA such a great place to work. You should all be incredibly proud."