The latest People South Action Group meeting welcomed two outstanding guest speakers to discuss the hot topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace.
Monica Collings OBE, Pro Bono Chair of POWERful Women and an experienced portfolio board director in the UK energy sector, shared her insights with the group. She revealed that the energy sector remains one of the least gender-diverse in the UK with 73% of the top 100 energy companies with no women on their executive teams, while middle-management roles show some progress (around 34% female representation), senior leadership remains largely male-dominated.
Key challenges identified include:
- Women feeling ignored or undervalued.
- Pressure on women who are “the first” or only female in a room.
- Rigid working structures, unconscious bias, and insufficient flexibility.
Monica emphasised that inclusive leadership drives innovation, broadens perspectives, and strengthens business performance. She highlighted that visible role models are crucial for attracting and retaining young talent, and that representation matters for skills retention across our region, a major priority for Business South Champions across the Central South.
Duke Harrison-Hunter, multi-award-winning inspirational speaker and recent TEDxGosport speaker on “Being Seen and Never Heard”, shared his personal experiences of often being the only person of colour in the room, and his work championing diversity across the country. He provided practical DEI implementation strategies, including:
- Leaders actively engaging with DEI beyond tick-box exercises.
- Regular training (every 3–6 months) to embed awareness and cultural change.
- Role modelling, mentoring, and allyship to ensure employees feel heard and valued.
- Inclusive language in recruitment to attract diverse candidates.
- Celebrating EDI events and establishing internal groups to strengthen organisational culture.
Duke also highlighted a common workplace issue: employees’ ideas are often ignored until repeated by others. Respectfully addressing this is critical not only for retention and wellbeing but also for creating an inclusive culture where honest conversations about workplace needs with a focus on belonging are more than just policy -they are action.
Next Meeting: 17th March 2026, 10:00–11:00 on Teams, focusing on the Employment Rights Bill, featuring a legal panel and Q&A.
