Platinum award for NATS’ payroll giving scheme

NATS has been awarded the government-backed Platinum Quality Mark in recognition of its successful involvement with the payroll giving scheme, Give As You Earn (GAYE).

In the last financial year (to March 31), NATS employees donated almost £230,000 to more than 130 charities and causes. Their top five charities over the year were Cancer Research UK, RNLI, NSPCC, Water Aid and UNICEF.

NATS has supported GAYE, run by Payroll Giving, since 2008. The scheme provides employees with the opportunity to donate to any UK-registered charity, HMRC recognised good cause or place of worship, directly from their salary, before tax.

The upgrade from Gold to Platinum is assessed against set metrics including organisation size and the percentage of workforce who donate – 12% of the NATS workforce taking part in GAYE is considered ‘excellent’.  Other factors such as internal promotion of the scheme to encourage participation are also taken into account. 

Jane Johnston, Head of Corporate & Community Affairs, said: “Being awarded the Platinum Quality Mark is entirely down to the generosity of our employees. The Give As You Earn scheme is such an easy way to support the causes that matter to us all. To be recognised in this way for what our colleagues are doing is the icing on the cake.”

Suzie Power, Director, Payroll Giving in Action, said: “Payroll Giving in Action congratulates NATS on achieving the APGO Platinum Quality Mark. For over a decade, NATS has operated a successful payroll giving scheme that provides sustainable, long-term income for UK charities that help those most in need. Payroll Giving in Action is proud of the difference NATS and its employees make and wish to thank all those involved.”