Who is Jonathan Hankin, Menzies Aviation's New Head of ESG?

Menzies Aviation has appointed Jonathan Hankin as its new Head of ESG, marking a significant leadership change in the company's sustainability operations.

Menzies, which is one of the world's leading aviation services firms, plays an indispensable though slightly unsung role in aeroplane travel globally, providing airlines with everything from passenger ramps to cargo handling to refuelling services.

The UK-based company employs more than 65,000 people and operates in around 350 airports around the world, meaning both its influence and carbon footprint are sizeable.

To this new role, Jonathan brings two decades of experience in the aviation industry, including a dozen years of service with the RAF.

As someone with a deep understanding of both aerospace engineering and sustainability (he is trained in safety and environmental management) Jonathan is the perfect person to lead Menzies' ESG programme going forward.

He has been a Menzies employee since 2017, serving most recently as the company's Vice President for GSE Safety and Sustainability, where he played a central role in the firm's transition to electric and low-carbon equipment.

Jonathan's leadership skills

His leadership has been instrumental in developing safer, cleaner and more efficient operational practices across Menzies' global network.

His appointment follows the departure of Katy Reid, Head of Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility, who leaves after 18 years with Menzies to pursue opportunities outside the business after playing a huge part in creating Menzies' sustainability framework.

"One of my proudest and most rewarding achievements has been setting up and leading the award-winning All In Sustainability Plan," she writes on LinkedIn, "embedding sustainability into the heart of our business and setting Menzies on course for a strong, responsible future."

John Geddes, Chief Governance and Sustainability Officer & Company Secretary, says: "Thank you to Katy Reid, whose work in shaping our ESG agenda and establishing the All In framework has given us a clear and solid foundation.

"Jonathan will now build on that progress as we continue driving meaningful, long-term improvements across our global business."

What is Menzies' 'All In' strategy?

As Head of ESG, Jonathan will oversee the continued evolution of Menzies' All In strategy, which encompasses commitments on everything from DEI to carbon reduction initiatives to sustainable supply chain and procurement practices. 

The strategy, which was first launched in 2021, is held aloft by four key pillars: the environment, people, safety and ethics.

Thanks to this structure, Menzies became the world's first major aviation services provider to have its net zero targets validated by the SBTi in October 2024.

In terms of concrete progress, Menzies has made hay with the electrification of its fleet, adding more than 850 electric GSE units in 2024 which means that 22% of its vehicles are now EVs.

This has since increased to 24% globally and 50% in Europe as of 2025.

Currently, 17 stations operate with more than 50% electric GSE, with nine exceeding 70%.

Beyond electrification, Menzies has been advancing the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil across its GSE fleet, with around 60% of equipment at London Heathrow and more than 50% at London Gatwick now running on HVO.

The company has also set new environmental targets, including achieving zero waste to landfill in cargo operations by the end of 2026 and reducing paper consumption by 10% in 2025.

The company's ESG agenda extends beyond environmental targets too. Menzies achieved 25% female representation in senior leadership in 2024, meeting its target aligned with IATA's 25by2025 campaign.

Female representation in middle leadership reached 29%, placing the company on track towards its 40% target by 2033. Menzies has also committed to hiring refugees, aiming for them to make up 1% of its global workforce by 2026.

An important time for Menzies and the aviation sector

Jonathan's appointment comes at a time of significant growth for Menzies Aviation.

The company recorded US$2.6bn in revenue for 2024, marking its fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth with a 20% year-on-year increase.

The aviation services provider handled more than 4.5 million flights and served over 217 million airline passengers in recent reporting periods.

"I’m looking forward to continuing our journey toward a more sustainable future for aviation," he says.