Why Gender Diversity in Energy Is Stalling – And Why Inclusive Leadership Holds the Key

Frustrated. Disappointed. Even angry.

This morning I attended the POWERful Women State of the Nation event, where the latest statistics on female representation in the energy sector were unveiled.

And yes… another year of mixed results and glacial progress.

What I find particularly frustrating is this: the energy sector has a once-in-a-generation opportunity. With the need to recruit, retain and develop hundreds of thousands of new people into the industry, there is both a business need and a societal opportunity to improve diversity like almost no other sector.

So why isn’t it happening?

Have leaders delegated representation to HR and recruitment teams?
Equity to those responsible for safety, facilities and employment policies?
And forgotten the role of culture and inclusion?

Because inclusion matters.

Ensuring leaders and managers genuinely see, hear and value everyone in their teams is fundamental to retention, contribution and progression.

I was delighted to meet with a couple of clients at the event and discuss how they are beginning – with our support – to measure and strengthen inclusive management capability, holding people managers accountable for creating cultures where everyone can thrive.

When people feel seen, heard and valued as much as the person next to them, they stay.
They contribute.
They progress.

The report makes for important reading: https://powerfulwomen.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/1818111/PfW_2026_Report-WEB.pdf