I'm a Global Sustainability Project Manager here at GKN Aerospace. This means that I'm completely immersed in what we are doing to improve our environmental, social and economic footprint. In short, this means that I work in favour of, rather than against, our planet. It's something I'm really passionate about, a goal that I can really get behind.

When looking at the technologies we develop, we can clearly take our inspiration from nature – after all plenty of creatures were flying before we were! Many of our design and efficiency principles are rooted in things we see in the natural world. Often simple ideas can make a world of difference. We can learn a lot from the world around us.

There are three key aspects to my work. 1) The strategic element: making sure the organization is headed in the right direction in enabling net-zero aviation, and setting realistic yet ambitious goals. 2) The operational element: implementing practical changes across the business to reduce our impact on the environment, as well as driving a culture of sustainability. And 3) the governance element: holding ourselves accountable and collecting the right data to ensure that we don't lose momentum - it's far too important.

I enjoy the diversity of my role - every day is different. My work gives me a true sense of purpose and I can see how it positively affects the company, the industry, and the planet. If we get it right, we can transform our sustainability credentials into a competitive advantage, resulting in an ideal platform to continue pushing the envelope in the future.

There are many other aspects of working here that I enjoy. It's a great physical environment to work in – the facilities are good, and my colleagues are pleasant. In addition, I feel listened to; that I can influence our approach; and that my contribution is valued.

A good work / life balance is very important to me; it keeps me healthy and energized. Notably, in addition to my work, I am a professional Snowboard Cross athlete, and the company supports me on this journey. Flexibility around working patterns and remote working help make this possible. It's refreshing to be trusted to do a good job.

If you were to ask me what skills you need to work here, I would suggest that an inquisitive and creative mind is a good start. That's the key to innovation. Moreover, good communication skills are vital, along with an appreciation of the cultural differences that you will encounter when working in a global business. It's a really rewarding professional environment.

If I were to sum up what it's like to work at GKN Aerospace, I think I would describe it as being aboard a train (or perhaps a plane) travelling at great speed. Things never stand still, so it suits someone who relishes that type of working environment. It's challenging work, but incredibly rewarding.

I'm relatively new to the organisation and was attracted by the legacy of the place. GKN Aerospace and Fokker have been pioneers in aviation, and that's something I'm proud to be part of. The company continues to innovate and break new ground today and the drive for environmental sustainability is something I can really get behind. I really enjoy working here and I hope to be part of the production team for a long time.

I'm very focused on building the expertise and experience of my team. I've definitely been able to develop my coaching skills during my time here. It's really rewarding to see how much people can develop on the job – often starting from scratch, or with limited technical expertise. Some of the processes we follow are unique to the aviation industry so it's not uncommon for people to have to learn those techniques after they join. People with the right motivation and commitment can really thrive here. And alongside coaching there is plenty of 'on-the-job' learning for people who want to take on more responsibility. In fact, that mirrors my own experience, when I had to step in to cover someone who was absent. I learned a lot in a short space of time.

I think it's very important that GKN Aerospace plays its part in supporting its customer to reduce the overall environmental impact of air travel.

The site in Papendrecht is growing fast – going from 800 to 1,800 people. But I think it still retains its sense of belonging – a bit like a family. That partly comes from the heritage of the place, and even though the scale is much greater collaboration is still very much of the DNA here.

Like many people here I originally joined Fokker – back in 2011. And then we became part of GKN Aerospace in 2015. It's been an amazing journey and I've learned a lot along the way.

If you asked me what makes working here special, I would say 'the product and the culture'. We have a great brand reputation that's founded on years and years of quality work. And that legacy links directly to the culture. People are proud to work here and want to pull together to achieve the best they can. Colleagues are passionate about what they do, and there's an open and friendly approach that I think gets the best from people. We respect one another; listen to one another; and learn from one another. Take the initiative. If you need help: just ask, and people are ready to get involved.

I started off here in a specialist technical role but have subsequently moved into a leadership role. I've had the benefit of great training to support me in making this transition and develop the new skills I need. There have been lots of opportunities to get involved in new initiatives and to learn. Our graduate programme is a great example of this. It takes the form of a two-year programme and participants change role every six months – so they get to develop a really broad understanding of the business, form a range of perspectives.

I would say that there are many different elements that make up an aeroplane. Obviously, there are the technical and physical aspects. But it also needs to work from a business perspective, to ensure the financial success of the organisation. And now, we are embedding environmental sustainability into every stage of an aircraft's life. From its design, through to its construction, and finally its performance in the air. This is the most important part of our work today. We need to harness the full potential of technology, great design and the very best creative minds so that we can do our best for the planet. This is a necessity.

What inspires me? I think we can learn a lot from children. Children are completely open and honest with one another and comfortable just being themselves. And I think that's a good principle for the workplace too. If you remove barriers in the workplace, encourage people to be true to themselves and respect the views of others, you can create a really rich working culture, that draws on the diversity of experience and perspectives that people bring. It's really inspiring to work with people from different cultures who bring new ideas. It's important to listen. If you can harness all of that potential who knows what you can achieve?

My name's Jeroen, and I've worked here for the last 25 years (starting off aged 17) – maintaining aircraft; and it's enabled me to travel all over the world. I love my work, and I'm proud to be associated with a brand with the heritage of Fokker and GKN Aerospace. I get to work on incredibly high-quality products and you are constantly learning new skills and techniques as the technology develops.

That's particularly true at the moment as we endeavour to do all we can to reduce the environmental impact of air travel. It's something that we have to get right, as we only have one planet. It's great to see practical developments that make a real difference, such as reducing the weight of aircraft to make them more efficient. And then there's the really ground-breaking stuff that you can get involved in such as solar energy or hydrogen fuelled flight, that is really exciting.

Working here has been a great experience. I've been able to undertake a number of different roles and develop different skills – some practical and technical, but also softer skills such as communication. And I've been able to undertake formal training through courses. I was thrilled to become a Team Leader in 2018 - I've really enjoyed the opportunity to share my insights and experiences with newer members of the team and help them to develop.

Outside of work I'm a voluntary firefighter in my local community and enjoy a range of sports, such as running and snowboarding. That, and my two daughters, keep me pretty busy.

There are a few key characteristics that I think make the difference when you work here. Being a good team player is probably at the top of the list. Good communication skills are also important, along with an open and honest approach to working with others. In return, you'll discover that it's a welcoming place. People are friendly and your contribution is valued and respected.