Future Leaders Business Placement Review

n my role as a Partnerships Executive at British Airways, I manage product placement within airport terminals to ensure our brand is consistently represented in premium and engaging ways, while also leading the delivery of strategic partnerships such as BST Hyde Park. This involves curating branded spaces, coordinating with internal teams and external agencies, and overseeing experiential activations like the British Airways Bar and Beach House VIP area, which mirror our lounge experience. I work closely with creative partners to bring these concepts to life, manage campaign execution from briefing to post-event analysis, and ensure all activations align with our brand values and enhance customer engagement.

Yes, I was given a lot of responsibility during my placement. I managed full projects independently, from initial planning through to execution and reporting. I regularly liaised with external partners and internal stakeholders, and many people I worked with were genuinely surprised to learn I was a placement student, which was a great confidence boost and testament to the trust and autonomy I was given throughout the experience.

Absolutely, I’ve developed a wide range of skills during my placement. I’ve strengthened my project management and communication abilities by leading campaigns and working with both internal teams and external partners. I’ve also gained new skills in stakeholder engagement, creative briefing, and experiential marketing, especially through my work on high-profile partnerships like BST Hyde Park. The experience has really helped me become more confident, adaptable, and commercially aware.

received a great deal of support and guidance throughout my placement, which made a huge difference to my development. My manager and wider team were always approachable and willing to offer advice, whether it was helping me navigate a new project or giving feedback on my work. At the same time, I was trusted to take ownership of tasks and lead initiatives independently, which gave me the confidence to grow professionally while knowing I had a strong support system behind me.

The company culture at British Airways was incredibly welcoming, collaborative, and supportive. From day one, I felt like a valued member of the team, with colleagues who were genuinely invested in helping me learn and succeed. There was a strong sense of pride in the brand and a shared commitment to delivering high-quality work, which created a motivating and professional atmosphere. At the same time, the environment was friendly and inclusive, making it easy to build relationships and feel comfortable contributing ideas and taking initiative.

I genuinely really enjoyed my placement, it was an incredibly rewarding experience both professionally and personally. I had the opportunity to work on exciting projects, take on real responsibility, and collaborate with a wide range of people across the business and with external partners. The variety of work, the supportive team, and the chance to contribute meaningfully made each day engaging and fulfilling. It’s definitely been a highlight in my career journey so far.

Yes