NorthLink Ferries Scoops National Fair Trade Award

Tuesday 1st December 2015

NorthLink Ferries has been named as the joint winner of a national award in recognition of the company’s commitment to Fair Trade. The award was presented at the Scottish Fair Trade Awards to the Northern Isles ferry service for its partnership with Aberdeen FairTrade Steering Group and Orkney Fair Trade Group.

The Campaign of the Year certificate was awarded to Peter Hutchinson, Customer Service Director at NorthLink Ferries for the integrated campaign, which saw Aberdeen’s Fair Trade banana mascot travel to Orkney on MV Hamnavoe.

NorthLink Ferries’ commitments to Fair Trade include the provision of Fairtrade coffee, tea and sugar sourced from Aberdeen-based Caber Coffee, Fairtrade bananas supplied by JW Gray in Kirkwall and Strachans in Aberdeen and the introduction of new staff polo shirts manufactured from Fairtrade cotton.

Speaking of the award win, Peter said: “We are extremely pleased to be recognised for our commitment to using Fair Trade on board.

“Working collaboratively with Aberdeen Fairtrade Steering Group and Orkney Fair Trade Group, the partnership is a great achievement for all involved and I would like to thank both groups for their support and hard work in helping us become a Fair Trade organisation.”

As a tribute to the company’s well-developed ethical business policy, NorthLink Ferries was named as Aberdeen’s flagship business that supports Fair Trade for 2015 earlier this year.

Gill Smee, Chair of Orkney Fair Trade Group, added: “It is great to work with fellow Fair Trade enthusiasts and to see NorthLink Ferries rewarded. The company has put a lot of effort into buying fair and local, sourcing many of their hotel goods from both Orkney and Fairtrade suppliers.”

Sue Good, Chair of Aberdeen Fairtrade Steering Group, said: “We were very happy to name NorthLink Ferries as Aberdeen’s flagship business for 2015 and are now delighted that the exploits of our mascot, FT Banana, have been recognised as raising awareness of Fair Trade activity in Scotland.”

For more information about NorthLink Ferries please visit www.northlinkferries.co.uk