From Cleaning Crew to Station Manager: Laura Liddle’s Journey with Unifi

Laura Liddle, station manager at Newcastle International Airport , has been passionate about aviation since childhood – a passion inspired by her father’s military background. Despite living in Darlington, England, a town without a nearby airport, she pursued her dream and entered the aviation industry at age 27.

Laura began her career as a cleaning operative with another company, a role she held for four years until the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in her redundancy. Determined to return to the industry, she learned that Up & Away (now Unifi) was expanding and reached out to share her interest in pursuing job opportunities with them. Within 24 hours, she was invited for an interview and offered a position with the flight deck cleaning crew in Newcastle. Not long after, her enthusiasm and work ethic soon propelled her to the role of station manager.

Reflecting on her journey, Laura explained, “The biggest skill I’ve gained through Unifi is learning to manage people. During my interview for station manager, I was upfront about where I thought I would struggle. Operationally, I picked things up quickly, but I knew I would need support on the people management side of things.”

Laura has embraced the growth opportunities at Unifi, experiencing significant personal and professional development. She credits the company’s supportive environment and the chance to work alongside dedicated colleagues as key to her success. According to her, passion, adaptability and a willingness to learn are the most crucial traits for success at Unifi.

Her professional growth has also been greatly enhanced by the support from Unifi. Attending the Leadership Touchdown training in Atlanta was a transformative experience that reinforced her belief in the company’s commitment to employee development.

“There’s been so much growth in my own career,” Laura said. “I’m humbled by it, and I feel very fortunate.”

Looking ahead, Laura hopes to continue growing within Unifi and aspires to visit the U.S. again to expand her knowledge and experience. Yet, she remains deeply connected to Newcastle, actively engaging in local charities and community initiatives. One cause particularly close to her heart is the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) – a passion inspired by the loss of her own dog, Izzy. She is currently preparing for the Great North Run, the largest half marathon in the world, in support of RSPCA.

At Newcastle International Airport, a small base with just 28 staff, Unifi has established itself through dedication and teamwork – achieving high cleaning standards, earning a 100% compliance rating in audits and recognition from major clients. Despite its size, the Newcastle base operates as a self-sufficient unit, and Laura has gained invaluable people management skills through support from the HR team and through leadership courses.

Laura’s journey from cleaning operative to station manager exemplifies perseverance, passion and the opportunities provided by Unifi. Her story demonstrates that with determination and enthusiasm, anything is possible.