Energy UK, in partnership with Ofgem and Citizens Advice, today launches the ‘Diversity in Energy Speakers Directory’ which seeks to increase the representation of talent within the energy sector from BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) backgrounds.
The directory is designed to support event organisers and media outlets by showcasing talent from engineers to communications leaders, policy experts to campaigners, to increase visibility and voices from a broader range of experts within the energy sector.
Abbie Sampson, Director of External Affairs at Energy UK, said:
“The ‘Diversity in Energy Speakers directory’ is a first small but important step in the right direction. We believe that as a sector we can do better – and we hope the directory will provide a valuable resource for event organisers and media outlets, enabling them to broaden the range of voices and better represent people within the sector from a wider range of ethnic backgrounds.
“We also hope the Directory will help provide greater visibility for the BAME talent we have in the energy sector – a sector in the middle of an exciting transition and at the forefront of driving decarbonisation across the economy while helping better represent the communities we serve.
“We need a broad range of skills and the increased innovation that comes from a more diverse talent pool to meet Net Zero and we hope this visibility will help us to attract this talent.”
Ofgem’s chief executive office, Jonathan Brearley said:
“I welcome the ‘Diversity in Energy Speakers Directory’ to showcase the diversity of spokespeople in Ofgem and the energy industry. This is one initiative to provide greater visibility of our BAME colleagues to make sure their voices are heard in energy. This visibility is vital as it will hopefully encourage more people from the BAME communities to work in our exciting and rapidly changing industry.
“Diversity is essential, not just to be better organisations, it is also fundamental to our sector’s business success and to be truly able to meet the needs of all customers we serve. If we are as a society are going to rise to the challenge of climate change, we need to harness all our talents to meet this threat.”
Gillian Cooper, Head of Energy Policy at Citizens Advice said:
“Too often energy industry events are dominated by people who look and sound the same. This directory will help make sure the voices of energy experts from diverse ethnic backgrounds are better heard.
“The energy sector will play a crucial role as the UK transitions to net zero and it will be essential the sector hears a wide range of voices and opinions. But innovation and diversity of thought can only happen if people are given a platform. That’s why Citizens Advice is proud to support this initiative.”
Energy UK today hosted a free webinar ‘You can’t be what you can’t see – Why the public face of your organisation matters’ – sponsored by Google Cloud – to coincide with the publication of the Directory.
The webinar’s focus was on the importance of companies considering the public face of their organisation – while many organisations take steps to increase diversity within their organisation, they neglect to consider the public face of their organisation and how their business is represented at events, in advertising or the media.
Speakers included:
• Mac Alonge, CEO, The Equal Group
• Felicity Beverley, Senior Strategic Engagement and Events Manager, Ofgem
• Rajh Das, Head of Manufacturing, Industrial and Life Science, Google Cloud UK
• Bieneosa Ebite, Deputy Head of Corporate Communications at Centrica and Co-Chair of Centrica’s Women Network
• Nina Goswami, Creative Diversity Lead and Journalist, BBC, 50:50 The Equality Project
• Arun Rao, Senior Policy Researcher, Citizens Advice
• Abbie Sampson, Director of External Affairs, Energy UK (Chair)
Notes to Editors
- Energy UK has long been proud to lead the sector in driving forward positive change on diversity and inclusion, from our long-established LGBT+ network ‘Pride in Energy’ to our Equality and Diversity Forum which brings together the industry to share best practice, network and hear from external experts through free webinars, events and workshops. Last year Energy UK hosted the inaugural ‘Inclusion and Diversity Conference’, in partnership with Accenture and SSE Renewables.
- Find out more about Energy UK’s ‘Diversity in Energy Speakers’ directory here: https://www.energy-uk.org.uk/energy-industry/equality-and-diversity/diversity-in-energy-experts-list.html
- For more information on Energy UK’s Equality and Diversity Forum visit: https://www.energy-uk.org.uk/energy-industry/equality-and-diversity/equality-diversity-forum.html or email diversity@energy-uk.org.uk