Equity, diversity and inclusion

We pride ourselves on being a fair, respectful and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Our well-established colleague communities, cover a range of protected characteristics along with wellbeing and mental health. Our colleague-run communities help us to engage, create an inclusive culture of learning and act as a critical friend.

This year, we saw one of our newest communities, Grief Awareness, awarded as the winners of the ‘Inclusion Award’ at the Culture Pioneer awards for grief support and awareness trailblazers. They launched a podcast series with the National Bereavement Service, featuring real stories from our colleagues.

In partnership with our EDI community groups, we remain focused on leadership development, launching Anti-Racism e-learning, and introducing a Trans Equity Standard. We significantly enhanced family provisions by updating policies and increasing maternity/ adoption provision to 12 months full pay.

At our annual EDI Conference, ‘The Big Meet’, we recognised outstanding achievements in inclusion, with 120 nominations across seven categories.

This year, we also celebrated a number of milestones and recognitions:

• partnered with Investing in Ethnicities, and sponsored the Outstanding Employer category at the Ethnicity Awards, affirming our dedication to being an anti-racist organisation;
• collaborated with the Business Disability Forum to build on our culture that has been recognised via becoming a Disability Confident Leader in 2024;
• named double winners at the Energy and Utility Skills 2024 awards for Employer of the Year and Attraction, Recruitment Campaign or Initiative of the Year Award, for our efforts in increasing diversity and fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace;
• achieved Silver on the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index;
• achieved the Royal National Institute for Blind People: Visibly Better Employer; and
• this year centred around culture being owned by our leaders through partnering and engagement. Including:
  • Launching culture engagement videos to enhance belonging around our values;
  • Leading Black History Month x Gas Distribution Network collaboration and Armed Forces Day Event;
  • Hosting safe space sessions during the Southport riots; and
  • Launching the award-winning Women in Operations shattering stereotypes campaign.

Source: Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25, page 27