Independence. Impartiality.
Inclusivity. Transparency. Integrity.
Who we are...
We are the Heathrow Community Engagement Board, a non-profit company limited by guarantee which operates independently from Heathrow Airport.
We were setup to enable communities and key stakeholders to scrutinise, challenge and contribute effectively to decision-making at the airport. We aim to build the relationships necessary to ensure that these groups have the opportunity for their views to be heard. For more detail, click here to see our Terms of Reference.
What we do...
We believe that communities and key stakeholders have the experience and expertise to identify not only the issues but also the solutions related to the impact that the airport has on them. We scrutinise and challenge Heathrow Airport to meaningfully engage with as many of those affected as possible and listen to their views. We work alongside communities and key stakeholders through one-to-one meetings, working groups, large forums, over the phone, online and in correspondence. Our values of independence, impartiality, inclusivity, transparency and integrity underpin all of our work.
Our team...
Rachel Cerfontyne
Chair of the HCEB
Rachel trained and worked as a social worker before becoming a probation officer. Rachel was most recently Deputy Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, where she spent 9 years improving and maintaining public confidence in the police complaints system and oversaw their two largest investigations including the Hillsborough Disaster and the Rotherham Child Sexual Abuse scandal. Having spent her early years in Feltham, a community close to the airport, Rachel has first-hand knowledge of the impacts and importance Heathrow can have on local residents.
Rachel works 2 days a week as Chair of the HCEB Ltd maintaining strategic oversight and managing the organisation's relationships with key stakeholders and interested parties.
Anna O'Rourke
Anna was most recently Head of Secretariat at HM Inspectorate of Prisons overseeing the work of the press, publications, policy, HR and finance teams as well as managing the relationship between HMIP and the Ministry of Justice. Having spent the last 13 years working for independent statutory bodies, Anna understands the importance of demonstrable independence.
Anna leads on the development of the HCEB's strategic work plan as well as managing relationships with senior stakeholders like the DfT.
Guido Liguori
Guido is a Legal Ombudsman who trained as a solicitor and was a partner and head of department specialising in criminal defence and police complaints and worked in the civil service where he prosecuted cases that involved serious drug importations and high-value Excise and VAT frauds.
Guido leads on the operations of the HCEB Ltd as an independent company and our engagement with the local communities most acutely affected by the airport.
Sam Matthews
Sam joined the HCEB team from the Labour Party, where he was Director of Legal & Governance, having worked on campaigns and election strategy for the Labour Party, Better Together, Britain Stronger in Europe and Hillary Clinton. Having spent 5 years living around Egham while he was at University, Sam has direct experience of living with the airport as a neighbour.
Sam leads on our communications, our governance structures and our engagement with Local Authorities as well as managing our relationship with Heathrow Airport.
Rebecca Cox
Rebecca joined the HCEB having spent 3 years as Secretary to the Heathrow Airport Consultative Committee, the HCEB's predecessor body. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the HCEB team on the history and development of the transition, day to day operations at the airport and previous consultations.
Rebecca is the secretary to the HCEB's Strategic Advisory Groups, supports the Chair and leads on the administration of the organisation including correspondence.
Martyn Hurst
Martin spent his career as an aircraft engineer. He is now a consultant and technical advisor to the HCEB. He provides us with invaluable advice on a range of technical matters.
Martyn leads on preparing responses to technical consultations and on our engagement with Small and Medium Sized Business.
Our work...
We're currently finalising our engagement plan and will be publishing it in the near future. In the meantime, please see below a brief summary of what we are up to.
Forums
The HCEB holds regular forums themed around particular topics. Whether they are noise, transport, environment, airspace or any of the other areas which the airport has an effect on - these provide an opportunity for those who are affected to make their voice heard.
Working groups
The HCEB has a number of working groups, designed to deliver on particular projects or pieces of work. We have working groups looking at the way surface transport works around the airport and producing needs assessments for the communities most affected by the airport. Our working groups have representative memberships with a focus on meaningful engagement to represent the views of the communities they seek to represent.
strategic advisory groups
The HCEB knows it doesn't have all the answers. We have two strategic advisory groups - one for local authorities and the other for non-statutory organisations. They provide invaluable advice the chair and the team on how we should be engaging with the broadest possible mix of groups and individuals.