15 Nov 2023

Turning words into action: leading energy employers invest in measures to improve gender diversity and inclusion in the energy sector

2023 report sets out coalition’s progress on female representation

A focus on investing in the diverse skills, strengths and talent needed for the UK’s energy future has seen positive results inside some of the largest energy employers in the past year, according to the Fifth Annual Report of the Energy Leaders’ Coalition (ELC), published today.

The ELC is a unique gathering of 16 energy company leaders – between them representing nearly two-thirds of the UK energy workforce – alongside the CEOs of Ofgem and the North Sea Transition Authority working together to drive better diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

Building on public commitments made last year, 2023 has seen a raft of new and improved company initiatives designed to attract, develop and retain female talent, particularly at middle management level.

Examples and their impact

  • Establishment of an Executive Committee to accelerate diversity and inclusion from the top.
  • Launch of new DEI strategies, including internal campaigns to create a more supportive culture — one company saw staff turnover fall by 25%.
  • Introduction of equal parent leave and improvements to partner and family leave.
  • Tools to address bias in recruitment, including removing gendered language.
  • Promoting part-time and flexible working as a positive career option, increasing female applications.
  • Training for line managers on allyship and championing women’s development.
  • New leadership development programmes and a female sponsorship scheme (39% of sponsees promoted).
  • Establishment of women’s networks and widening expectations across supply chains.

Collaborative highlights

Two pieces of collaborative work stood out:

  • Empower Her In Energy — a first-of-its-kind joint marketing campaign to attract young women into the sector. Shortlisted for UK Social Media Awards; one company saw a 225% rise in applications.
  • Focused work addressing barriers faced by women in middle management, with a detailed progress review shared in the Annual Report.

Key data points

  • 10 of 16 companies have achieved the 2025 target of 40% women on boards.
  • 5 companies now have 50:50 gender parity at board level.
  • 3 companies have met PfW’s 2030 target of 40% women in leadership.
  • 3 companies have met the 40% target for middle management.
  • ELC average for women in leadership is 33% (up 1% on last year).
  • Ofgem and the NSTA exceed 40% for women in leadership/executive roles.

Leadership voices

“The Energy Leaders’ Coalition provides a unique safe space for energy CEOs to share, learn and challenge each other on what works and what doesn’t when it comes to accelerating diversity and inclusion. We believe transparency around data will help to drive improvement and it’s clear that while the number of women in our companies is rising, our progress is too slow. So the ELC has responded strongly this year to turn our commitments into concrete actions.”

— Chris O’Shea, Group Chief Executive, Centrica and Chair of the ELC (2023)

“This year we have focused on the significant career development barriers faced by women in middle management roles, including access to professional development, ensuring flexible working policies actually deliver for women, the lack of visible female role models and workplace cultures that can be unsupportive.”

— Duncan Clark, Head of Region, Ørsted UK

“We are at a critical point in the energy transition, where we need to attract people with a diverse range of skills and experience into thousands of green jobs and also keep the female talent we already have.”

— Katie Jackson, Chair of POWERful Women

Priorities going forward

  • Leading change: championing solutions and increasing visibility through public profiles and networks.
  • Supporting net zero ambitions: align activities with the government on skills, talent and equality.
  • Maximising collective efforts: strengthen collaboration across the sector to focus efforts effectively.

Conference & report

The ELC Annual Report was launched at POWERful Women’s 2023 Annual Conference: Are we investing in the diverse skills, strengths and talent we need for our energy future? Amanda Solloway MP gave the keynote address; panels included C-suite and D&I leaders.

Report download: ELC Fifth Annual Report (Nov 2023)

Contact for media enquiries

Anna Stanford, Communications Adviser
📞 +44 7961 234634
✉️ [email protected]

Notes to editors & About POWERful Women

The Energy Leaders’ Coalition, formed in May 2018, brings together senior leaders from major UK energy companies to collaborate on DEI. POWERful Women (PfW) is a professional initiative working to achieve a gender-balanced, diverse and inclusive energy sector in the UK with a target of at least 40% of middle management and leadership roles held by women by 2030. Find out more at www.powerfulwomen.org.uk.