Press Release

UK energy sector ‘treading water’ on gender balance as progress stalls at the top

LONDON, 4 June, 2026 – Progress towards gender balance in the UK energy sector has stalled and, in some areas, reversed, according to new analysis published today by POWERful Women (PfW).

The Annual State of the Nation 2026 report shows female representation on the boards of the UK’s top 100 energy companies has inched up to 31%, from 30% last year - an uptick that masks deeper concerns about the direction of travel.

Beneath this headline, the report reveals that:

  • 22 boards removed at least one woman in the last 12 months, up from just 5 in the previous year
  • The number of all-male boards has increased from 12 to 13
  • At the current pace, the industry is off track to achieve PfW’s 40% target by 2030

Together, these trends indicate that progress at board level is no longer advancing and, in some cases, is moving backwards.

Pipeline progress not translating into board appointments

The report highlights a growing disconnect between progress in the talent pipeline and outcomes at the top of organisations.

Female representation at leadership level has increased to 36%, up from 34% last year, with the number of companies meeting PfW’s 40% leadership target rising from 8 to 14.

However, this has not translated into improved board representation, suggesting that barriers now sit at the point of appointment and progression into the most senior roles.

At the same time, progress in middle management - the pipeline for future leaders - has stalled entirely. Female representation remains static at 34% for the second consecutive year, with just 5 companies reaching the 40% middle management target.

Structural barriers persist at senior levels

The analysis shows that representation varies significantly across senior roles. Women now hold:

  • 21% of executive director positions (up just 1 percentage point)
  • 25% of CTO roles, making it the most gender-balanced executive function

However, key operational roles linked to progression to CEO positions have seen declines:

  • CFO roles have fallen to 15% female representation, down 3%
  • COO roles have fallen to 13%, down 4%

The report concludes that women remain under represented in the operational, profit-and-loss roles most commonly associated with advancement to the top of organisations.

A ‘wake-up call’ for the sector

The report warns that, with just four years remaining to achieve POWERful Women’s target of at least 40% female representation in leadership and middle management by 2030, current progress is insufficient.

Increased attrition, stagnation in the pipeline, and inconsistent board-level progress risk undermining the sector’s ability to attract and retain the talent needed for the energy transition.

Monica Collings OBE, Chair of POWERful Women, said:

"At first glance, this year’s data may look stable. But beneath that flat headline is a story that should concern every leader in the energy sector. We are seeing real progress in some areas, particularly in leadership roles. But this is not translating into change at board level - and in too many cases, progress is reversing. This is a wake-up call. With four years to go to our 2030 target, the sector must act now to remove the barriers that prevent women from progressing into the most senior roles and to build a stronger, more inclusive pipeline for the future."

Miya Paolucci, POWERful Women Leaders’ Coalition Chair and ENGIE UK CEO, commented:

"Across the Energy Leaders’ Coalition, we know that progress comes when leadership is visible, deliberate and sustained. This report is a reminder that diversity does not improve through aspiration alone. It improves when companies track it, own it and act on it."

Chris McDonald MP, Minister for Industry (DESNZ), added:

"Delivering our clean energy mission requires talent, innovation and leadership from across Britain’s energy sector - and a diverse and inclusive workforce is the key. It is vital that the sector act now to drive forward progress on gender representation, as we pave the way for the next generation of clean energy workers and leaders to take advantage of new opportunities in this fast-expanding sector."

A critical moment for talent and growth

The report also warns that failure to improve gender balance will have wider implications for the sector, including:

  • Increasing competition for talent in a rapidly expanding workforce
  • Greater regulatory and investor scrutiny
  • Reputational and commercial risks for companies lagging behind

With the UK energy transition requiring significant workforce growth, the report emphasises that the sector cannot afford to draw from only half of the available talent pool.

About the report

POWERful Women’s Annual State of the Nation report tracks gender diversity across the UK’s top 100 energy employers, measuring female representation at board, executive, leadership and middle management levels.

It provides a comprehensive benchmark for the sector and sets out practical recommendations to accelerate progress towards a gender-balanced workforce.

Media Contacts

Neil Michie Head of Communications • 0207 7467 7132 • [email protected]
Georgina Worrall OBE Head of POWERful Women • [email protected]

Notes to Editors

  1. Compilation of the 2026 statistics:

    POWERful Women, supported by Bain & Company, has gathered statistics on female representation among the top 100 energy companies in the UK, selected based on being the most significant employers in the UK energy industry.

    The data was gathered through direct engagement and publicly available information correct as of end of January 2026.

    Only 33 of the 100 companies were able to provide us with middle management data. However, those companies are some of the largest employers in the UK energy sector - and so still provide a view of the sector.

    Improvement over time is driven largely by individual company performance on representation but also slightly by the changing mix of companies over the years (with a maximum of 10% change year on year), as we adjust the list of top 100 employers each year to be representative of the energy sector.

  2. The report can be downloaded here: 2026 report
  3. Infographics are available on request – email [email protected]
  4. With thanks to North Highland for supporting the 2026 Annual State of the Nation report.

    About North Highland

    Founded in 1992, North Highland helps businesses move from strategy to reality, taking a pragmatic and practical approach to build solutions that work and create impact that lasts. As the world’s leading change and transformation consultancy, our award-winning services, powered at the intersection of talent and technology, turn client visions into real, measurable value.

    With industry-leading client satisfaction ratings, North Highland’s methods and expertise are regularly recognized by the world’s leading analyst firms. Offering global support and capabilities, North Highland has offices across U.S., UK, Middle East, Romania, Ecuador, and Canada.

  5. About POWERful Women

    POWERful Women (PfW) is a professional initiative, hosted by the Energy Institute, working to achieve a gender-balanced, diverse and inclusive energy sector in the UK to meet the needs of a net zero future.

    Our target is for at least 40% of middle management and leadership roles to be held by women by 2030. To deliver this we work with business leaders, D&I experts, government, the regulators, aspiring women and partner organisations to accelerate change.

    We support, challenge and connect: publishing research and annual statistics on female representation in the industry; encouraging collaboration, learning and sharing through the Energy Leaders’ Coalition; running a mentoring programme for women; providing practical career and D&I resources, case studies and guidance; communicating the benefits of better diversity and inclusion; and running networking and learning events.

    Find out more at: www.powerfulwomen.org.uk @_PfWomen