When Heathrow Airport devised an initiative to prioritise the health and wellbeing of its colleagues in 2022 to help them manage the pressures of a cost-of-living crisis and soaring fuel prices, Eurest moved quickly. It delivered a new app-based free food and drink scheme to more than 6,000 Heathrow Airport Limited employees in under four weeks.

But rather than issuing a paper voucher, which could be spent on fast food and confectionery, the client asked Eurest to devise a system that would ensure colleagues had a healthy and nutritious meal to keep them well-fed and motivated in difficult times. It had to be up and running in time for the colder months – and to provide a festive experience in December.

Eurest delivered on its pledge, overcoming a range of on-site, logistical and technological complexities. The results included a 93% take-up rate among 6,000 eligible Heathrow staff members; 130,000 additional meals served to remote locations not usually serviced by Eurest; over 6,000 free Christmas lunches served and 2,500 further team members downloading the bespoke Eurest Heathrow app.

Heathrow Retail Director Fraser Brown said: “To deliver the best airport service in the world, we need to look after our colleagues. This temporary winter initiative was a recognition of the challenges they face. When increased labour requirements, staff training, app development and a request to go live in four weeks are factored in, this was an incredible undertaking by any standard.”