Today [11 June], the energy industry will present the results of two sector-wide Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) surveys at the flagship EDI in Energy Conference, hosted by Energy UK, Energy Institute and Energy Networks Association.

The event, sponsored by Policy by Murray, will hear the energy sector results of Energy and Utility Skills’ 2023 Inclusion Measurement Framework which measures workforce characteristics across the wider utilities industry. Findings from the 2023 Inclusion Measurement Framework show that while there is continued progress in gender diversity in energy, women make up only 27.5% of the participating organisations’ workforces. This is far behind the UK workforce, of which women make up 48%.

Disappointingly, the picture doesn’t change much when looking at data on ethnicity, sexuality or disability representation; whilst there has been slight improvement the energy sector still falls behind both the wider utilities industry and UK workforce.

Additional data, also released today, reveals that in its first year of running, 37 organisations within the energy sector participated in the Health Index created by TIDE. The Index is a new initiative to allow organisations to anonymously benchmark their EDI maturity against others, as well as provide TIDE with an indication of where further support might be needed, and a baseline from which to measure progress.

Findings from the Health Index show the sector has strong performance when it comes to encouraging employees to be involved in EDI, embracing opportunities flexibly and ensuring there is a nominated person and strategy for EDI. However, the results also show that one in three respondents were reactive in training hiring teams and managers in inclusive hiring practices, and further work is needed in engaging the supply chain.

Energy and Utility Skills will be presenting the findings in full at the EDI in Energy Conference today where attendees will also hear from the CEOs of Energy UK, ENA and the Energy Institute, with Baroness Sandy Verma, co-founder of POWERful Women holding them to account on actions and progress. With data collection still cited as a challenge across industry, delegates will also hear leading energy companies which have had success in collecting workforce data discuss how to measure impact, as well as practical tips and tools to improve accessible communications, recruitment processes, engage with the supply chain and ensure inclusive working environments. Throughout the day, personal perspectives from across the sector will hammer home why progress on EDI must continue and the difference it can make when companies get it right, and there will be opportunity to input into TIDE’s future priorities and work.

The conference is now full in person but registration is still open for people wishing to join online.

Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive at Energy UK, which represents over 120 companies across the energy industry, said:

“The energy industry needs a resilient, innovative workforce to meet the challenges of tackling climate change and bring society with us in the energy transition. The cross-industry Health Index and Inclusion Measurement Framework is an excellent and simple tool which will help the whole industry understand our workforce and priorities for improvement, and I encourage as many companies to take part as possible.

“I hope that attendees of the Conference feel empowered and inspired by the actions this sector is making, and the actions they can take themselves.”

Lawrence Slade, Chief Executive, ENA, which represents the UK’s energy network operators said:

“As the UK accelerates towards a decarbonised energy system, to get there we need to embrace the power and opportunity of diversity. Today’s research shows the progress we still need to make in order to help build a workforce that challenges group think, brings diversity of thought, ideas and experience, and provides new equitable solutions for a clean, fair and affordable energy system.

“Working with our partners, ENA is committed to using the insights generated by the Health Index and Inclusion Measurement Framework to help drive diversity, equity and inclusion sector-wide, supporting the creation of the energy workforce of tomorrow.”

Dr Nick Wayth FEI, Energy Institute Chief Executive and POWERful Women Board Member, said:

“The old adage - you can't improve what you don't measure – rings true for industry diversity data and underpins the vital need for tools such as the Inclusion Measurement Framework and Health Index.

“A diverse workforce isn’t just a target setting exercise, but a fundamental component of an equitable and just energy transition. It’s fantastic to be celebrating success, and discussing solutions, at the EDI in Energy conference.”

Lauren Maddocks, Associate Director, Policy, Public Affairs and Comms, Policy by Murray, said:

“We are proud to sponsor the conference for a second consecutive year, underscoring our commitment to creating a genuinely inclusive hiring processes and cultures. This EDI Conference provides an excellent opportunity to discuss the work we’re undertaking with clients in the Energy sector, moving beyond mere promises to achieve sustained and measurable progress.”

 Notes to editors

The data set can be found here – and is under the same embargo as the release.

Energy EDI Data collection

The Health Index tracks initiatives, processes, policies and people to understand the activities of the sector.

The Inclusion Measurement Framework (IMF) measures the diversity characteristics of the sector across the employment lifecycle.

These are complementary tools which will help both individual companies to benchmark themselves, as well as being to build up an industry-wide picture of whether actions are leading to results, and where to focus.

The IMF will open for 2024 data submissions in September 2024, and the Health Index will open again in 2025. You can register interest for both here.

About the Tackling Inclusion and Diversity in Energy (TIDE) Initiative

TIDE was launched in 2022 as a group of volunteers working across industry to provide tools and resources to improve Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in energy. Its aim is to combine cross-sector EDI insights and evidence, building on experience and expertise to share best practice and support industry-wide changes. It has been working to three priorities; insight and data collection, engaging with leaders and sharing good practice.

Find out more: www.energyedihub.uk

Follow TIDE on LinkedIn

Energy UK is the trade association for the energy industry with over 100 members - from established FTSE 100 companies right through to new, growing suppliers, generators and service providers across energy, transport, heat and technology. Our members deliver nearly 80% of the UK’s power generation and over 95% of the energy supply for 28 million UK homes as well as businesses. The sector invests £13bn annually and delivers nearly £30bn in gross value - on top of the nearly £100bn in economic activity through its supply chain and interaction with other sectors. The energy industry is key to delivering growth and plans to invest £100bn over the course of this decade in new energy sources. The energy sector supports 700,000 jobs in every corner of the country. Energy UK plays a key role in ensuring we attract and retain a diverse workforce. In addition to our Young Energy Professionals Forum, which has over 2,000 members representing over 350 organisations, we are a founding member of TIDE, an industry-wide taskforce to tackle Inclusion and Diversity across energy. Its EDI commitment can be found here.

Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body representing the electricity wires, gas pipes and energy system in the UK and Ireland. ENA helps its members meet the challenge of delivering electricity and gas to communities across the UK and Ireland safely, sustainably and reliably. Its members include every major electricity and gas network operator in the UK and Ireland, independent operators, National Grid ESO which operates the electricity system in Great Britain and National Gas which operates the gas system in Great Britain. Its affiliate membership also includes companies with an interest in energy, including Heathrow Airport and Network Rail. Energy network operators manage and maintain the wires, pipes and other infrastructure which delivers electricity and gas to your home, business and community. They are private companies which are regulated by Ofgem and employ around 40,000 people in Great Britain.

The Energy Institute (EI) is the chartered professional membership body for people who work across the world of energy. Our purpose is creating a better energy future for our members and society by accelerating a just global energy transition to net zero.

We do this by attracting, developing and equipping the diverse future energy workforce; informing energy decision-making through convening expertise and advice; and enabling industry to make energy lower carbon, safer and more efficient.

A founding member of TIDE, the Energy Institute is also the home of POWERful Women - a professional initiative striving to create a gender-balanced, diverse and inclusive UK energy sector.

Energy & Utility Skills is the skills voice for the energy and utilities industries. As skills experts, we work with industry and government to identify workforce and what are the skills needed to ensure relevant systems are in place across the UK. Our core purpose is to deliver a safe, skilled and sustainable workforce with energy and utilities industries in the United Kingdom. We set industry standards, drive best practice and innovate to meet existing and future skills needs and emerging green priorities.

Ofgem is a key partner in TIDE (Tackling Inclusion and Diversity in Energy) and its mission to improve EDI in the energy sector. Ahead of the General Election on 4 July and in line with Cabinet Office guidance, Ofgem will no longer be speaking at the event. You can find out more about Ofgem’s work to increase EDI in the energy sector by reading its multi-year strategy.

The Policy by Murray team partner experts in Policy, Public Affairs, Strategic Comms and Economics with respected clients to make change happen. Our team are proud to be the trusted recruitment partner for corporates, trade associations, regulators, NGOs and charities. Founded from the belief that recruitment should be about more than just making placements, we take a continuously consultative and innovative approach to all that we do, including attraction and retention strategies to support diversification and inclusion in the workplace. Everyone shares the responsibility for accessibility and DE&I whilst hiring, but at Policy by Murray we champion and encourage an inclusive hiring process. We know that diverse teams perform better in an inclusive environment, so our consultants are committed to working with our clients to ensure that this practice is embedded across each assignment we undertake.

Media contacts

Energy and Utility Skills: communications@euskills.co.uk

Energy UK: press@energy-uk.org.uk

ENA: press@energynetworks.org

Energy Institute: comms@energyinst.org

Ofgem: press@ofgem.gov.uk