London Gatwick Airport’s commitment to flexibility and green travel, with Tusker
London Gatwick’s implementation of a salary sacrifice car benefit scheme, delivered through Tusker, represents a significant step forward in its commitment to employee wellbeing, environmental commitment, and operational flexibility.
The initiative highlights the airport’s ambition to transition its reward offerings from legacy models to innovative, inclusive, and sustainable benefits tailored to a diverse workforce.
Emerging from the challenges of the pandemic, London Gatwick’s aim was to modernise its traditional benefits portfolio, which was deemed outdated and misaligned with employee needs.
Appealing to different lifestyles
Steve Walsh, reward leader at London Gatwick, said: “We wanted to update our reward proposition to be more inclusive - driven by the need for choice and sustainability.
“It was about creating benefits that resonate with different lifestyles, whether for a senior commercial manager in the office or an airfield wildlife controller at London Gatwick.”
While external factors like a major drive to reduce carbon influenced the decision, internal demand for electric vehicles (EVs) also played a vital role.
Early conversations among management highlighted the lack of EV options and spurred London Gatwick to adopt a solution that combined environmental responsibility with financial viability.
Tusker’s integration with the airport’s existing benefits platform through Benifex simplified administration, an essential requirement given the lean HR resources available.
Walsh said: “While there is administrative work, the reality has been manageable. Tusker’s team reacts quickly when needed, ensuring smooth operations.”
EV focus on sustainability
The decision to focus solely on electric vehicles within the scheme aligns with London Gatwick’s sustainability goals.
By eliminating hybrid options, the airport reinforced its commitment to reducing carbon emissions both on and off the runway.
This policy mirrors its broader initiatives, such as subsidising train travel and rolling out EV-only vehicles on the airfield.
The scheme has also driven inclusivity, allowing employees across diverse roles to engage with benefits tailored to their needs.
Whether it’s offering affordable options for security officers or lifestyle protections that provide financial security in uncertain times, the initiative reflects the airport’s holistic approach to employee support.
Since its launch, the scheme has achieved a steady take-up rate, with 80 vehicles currently in the fleet - close to 3% of the eligible workforce.
Walsh attributes this success to a balance between early adopters and consistent promotion.
“We’ve reached a plateau at around 80, but it’s been a positive journey. Encouraging uptake remains a focus, and hitting 100 vehicles would be a milestone worth celebrating,” he said.
Avoiding EV ownership risk
Lifestyle protections have played a key role in building employee trust.
Tusker’s policy eliminates penalties for early cancellations, ensuring flexibility for both employees and employers.
This feature is particularly valued by employees wary of the financial risks associated with EV ownership.
However, reaching London Gatwick’s diverse workforce - spread across operational and office roles - has presented unique challenges.
While digital access through mobile devices is theoretically possible, operational roles such as wildlife patrollers or airfield controllers often lack the time to engage with online benefits platforms during work hours.
Despite that, Gatwick’s team continues to explore creative ways to ensure that everyone has access to the scheme, regardless of their role.
The London Gatwick car scheme illustrates a broader shift in HR priorities, with flexibility and sustainability increasingly becoming key drivers of employee engagement.
While the initiative initially aimed to offer greater choice, sustainability has emerged as an equally important goal, shaping Gatwick’s benefits strategy for the future.
With a continued focus on promoting green travel and fostering employee engagement, the airport car scheme serves as a model for organisations looking to innovate their rewards strategy while making a positive environmental impact.
Supplied by REBA Associate Member, Tusker
Market leaders in salary sacrifice car schemes with more than 15 years’ experience.
