Energy leaders commit to accelerating the journey to gender balance

UK energy leaders say they will step-up action to improve gender diversity and inclusion in their companies to help the energy sector meet the challenges of the energy transition and reaching net aero. They also pledge to ensure that women aren’t disadvantaged during the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and that diversity stays at the heart of the changing workplace.

Accelerating gender diversity and inclusion for the net zero challenge is the third annual report of the Energy Leaders’ Coalition, a commitment by the heads of 16 of the UK’s top energy companies to improving gender diversity and inclusion within their own organisations and across the UK energy sector as a whole. Between them, the 16 companies represent well over half of the UK energy workforce. 

A series of case studies in the report showcase examples of the policies and initiatives within companies that have made the most difference to improving their gender diversity statistics.

Analysis earlier this year by the POWERful Women initiative and PwC UK of the boards of the top c.80 UK energy companies reinforced the need to drive greater representation of women at senior levels. It showed that at the time

• Just 24% of board seats were occupied by women.
• Only 14% of executive board seats were occupied by women.
• Some 28% of the UK’s top energy companies had no women on their boards at all.
• More than two-thirds (78%) had no women occupying executive board seats.

Ruth Cairnie, Chair of POWERful Women, comments: ‘We’re delighted to publish the third annual report of the Energy Leaders’ Coalition, a timely acknowledgement from the very top of the UK energy industry that diversity must be at the heart of their journey to net zero and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.  We welcome the willingness of the CEOs to publish their data on progress towards their targets this year. Transparency and accountability are central to shifting the dial. And we are also delighted to welcome the CEOs of Ofgem and the Oil and Gas Authority to the coalition, to explore what role the regulators can play in advancing diversity and inclusion in the industry as a whole.’

Nick Wayth, CEO of the Energy Institute, adds: ‘POWERful Women’s statistics earlier this year showed that the representation of women at the top of the energy sector is disappointingly low. We need an energy industry that reflects its customers and that taps the skills, innovation and leadership necessary for a successful energy transition. I am pleased to see some examples of good practice that are making a difference to companies’ diversity and I am also pleased to see the commitment from company leaders to go further and go faster. I hope others in the sector will follow suit.’

Ruth Cairnie, Chair of POWERful Women: ‘Diversity must be at the heart of their [energy companies] journey to net aero and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.’  
Photo: PfW