British Airways’ Willie Walsh joins EFD’s president’s group

22nd September 2008

Willie Walsh, British Airways Chief Executive, has shown his personal commitment to getting it right on disability by joining Employers’ Forum on Disability’s (EFD) president’s group.

The group was created by EFD’s president, John Varley, group chief executive, Barclays PLC. With nearly 50 members, the president’s group is the only senior leadership body focused on repositioning disabled people as employees, customers and valued stakeholders.

Willie Walsh, BA Chief Executive, said: “Being part of the president’s group will enable us to continue in our commitment to making British Airways an even more inclusive and accessible employer and airline.

“We are the proud airline partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and will be building on our successes working with the British Paralympic Association travelling with us to Beijing.”.

John Varley created the president's group to enable engagement on disability at the most senior level.

Susan Scott-Parker, chief executive of EFD said: “We are delighted that Willie Walsh has demonstrated his commitment to disability confidence by joining the president’s group.

“The president’s group members are senior leaders with considerable skills, expertise and top-level experience. The group sends a powerful message - to government, to the market place, to colleagues and to competitors. The message is that business leaders have disability at the top of their agenda.”

Ends

Notes to editors

Media enquiries, please contact:

Brenda Otema, Communications & Marketing Officer
Employers' Forum on Disability
Email: brenda.otema@efd.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7403 3020

About Employers' Forum on Disability

Employers' Forum on Disability is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects employers and service providers. With over 300 members, EFD represents organisations that employ around 20 per cent of the UK workforce.Since its establishment in 1991, EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.

www.efd.org.uk