Supporting female talent in the energy sector

Minister for Women and Equalities Nicky Morgan spoke at the POWERful Women ‘one year on’ event and urged energy companies to continue nurturing and developing female talent yesterday (3rd June 2015). She said, "I am pleased to see in the ‘POWERful women’ report that a commitment to nurturing and developing talent is 1 of its top 3 recommendations for companies. Of course there is good practice to be seen. Larger energy companies tend to have more women on boards, and power and renewable energy companies do even better in terms of diversity: Centrica, the National Grid, and Royal Dutch Shell all deserve a mention here."

"I’m also extremely proud of the progress we have made in narrowing the gender pay gap, but there’s more to be done in the sector, as in other sectors too. We need to make sure we have the right amount of female representation at every level. Research shows that 30% is the magic number. The number at which a minority group starts to have influence and impact. In other words, the number at which our voices start to be heard. And I’m very pleased to say that our new Parliament is at 29.5%! So we’re nearly there - I can begin to look other sectors and industries a little bit more in the eye than I could in the last Parliament."

"I’m sure a lot of you will have in mind the last POWERful Women conference in February 2014, when someone I enjoyed working with very much spoke to you. So at this point I’d like to say that Jo Swinson did a huge amount for women during her time as a minister, and pay tribute to all that she achieved. I know that my new fellow Minister for Women and Equalities, Caroline Dinenage, is looking forward to continuing her work."

Equality for women and nurturing talent in the sector

Ms Morgan continued, "There is no reason why the energy sector can’t push hard for equal pay and equal opportunity. But despite that:

• 61% of the top 100 UK-headquartered energy companies have no women on their boards
• only 5% of executive boards seats of energy companies are held by women
• and there are no female CEOs of medium to large energy companies that are headquartered in the UK

That’s despite 70% of those surveyed for the ‘Igniting change’ report believing that their companies are too male-dominated."

Looking forward

"So energy companies need to commit to a real culture change, and that’s why it’s so encouraging to see so many people here this evening.

And to have real sustainable change, that change must come from within.

At every level and in every role, women need to know their contributions are valued and their development is taken seriously. That’s why the POWERful connections network that you’re launching tonight is so important.

Women need to see senior staff leading by example, and they need to see role models all the way up to executive level.

I’m very conscious of the fact that, with my education hat on, that if we don’t continue to encourage more girls and young women into STEM subjects and careers, businesses will miss out on the home-grown talent that is vital for future development and economic growth.

Over the coming months, I’ll be continuing to encourage girls to get into STEM-related careers through the Your Life campaign - effecting the kind of culture change that we need has to start in the classroom and continue right through to the workplace."