First London Cableway has been recognised as one of the leading employers in the city for its role in operating London’s famous cable car over the River Thames.
The company, which is part of FirstGroup and operates and maintains the IFS Cloud Cable Car connecting the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Victoria Dock on behalf of Transport for London, has been awarded the highest level of accreditation at ‘excellence’ of the Mayor of London’s ‘Good Work Standard’.
The accreditation scheme, which is administered by City Hall, recognises employers committed to fair pay and conditions including paying the London Living Wage; engagement, voice and wellbeing; skills and progression; and diversity and inclusive recruitment.
On Thursday (24 July), a specially designed cable car was unveiled by Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth Howard Dawber to celebrate the new accreditation and First London Cableway’s commitment to best employment practice.
David Greenwood, FirstGroup’s General Manager for the IFS Cloud Cable Car, said: “The cable car is one of the more unique businesses in FirstGroup’s diverse portfolio, so it is brilliant that we are able to showcase what we offer as an employer through this accreditation.
“With nearly a million companies operating in London, I’m really proud that we are among the top one per cent that have been recognised with this accreditation by the Mayor of London.
“It’s a credit to our teams who continue to work hard to ensure we offer fair pay and conditions, place lots of focus on our colleagues’ wellbeing and skills progression, and ensure we have a diverse and inclusive workforce.”
While assessing First London Cableway’s management of the cable car, the accreditation panel was particularly impressed with the range of employee benefits, the constructive engagement on industrial relations, and the company’s approach to flexible working.
It is the latest company to join a list of nearly 200 businesses in London to be awarded the accreditation and set the bar high for employment practice.
London’s Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber OBE, said: “The Mayor’s Good Work Standard helps make London the best city in the world to work, so I’m pleased that First London Cableway as a key supplier in our transport network has joined this growing movement of employment best practice.
“More than 310,000 people are employed by a Good Work Standard organisation – and behind this statistic are countless everyday stories of Londoners whose lives have improved immeasurably by having more money in their pockets, security and confidence at work, chances to progress and support to succeed.
“The Mayor and I are committed to working with employers across the capital to drive the good growth we need, so that we’re not just providing jobs but real careers where people can thrive, as we continue to build a fairer and more prosperous London for everyone.”
Josh Crompton, Transport for London’s (TfL) Head of Cable Car, said: “We’re delighted that the cable car’s operator First London Cableway has been recognised in the Mayor’s Good Work Standard accreditation scheme. At TfL, the wellbeing and development of our staff is integral to our work, so it is important that our supply chain show the same values of care and inclusivity. It is fantastic news that First London Cableway has been awarded the top-level rating in the scheme.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
PICTURE CAPTION: First London Cableway General Manager David Greenwood receives the Good Work Standard accreditation from London’s Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber OBE and Emily Hodgson, Head of Partnerships and Campaigns at the Living Wage Foundation
About the Good Work Standard
The Mayor's Good Work Standard aims to improve working lives for Londoners by bringing together best employment practice and links to resources and support from across London to help employers improve their organisations.
The initiative has been developed in collaboration with London's employers, trade unions, professional bodies and experts and it sets the benchmark the Mayor wants every London employer to work towards and achieve.
Organisations able to meet the Good Work Standard criteria can apply for free accreditation and recognition as leading employers from the Mayor.
180+ organisations have become Good Work Standard accredited with over 310,000 employees working for an accredited employer.
The Mayor’s Responsible Procurement Policy sets out ambitions to embed fair employment practices in the GLA Group’s supply chain by seeking to work with suppliers accredited to the Good Work Standard. The number of accredited GLA Group suppliers has doubled since 2021. First London Cableway is a Transport for London supplier.