Championing allyship and inclusion: Driving meaningful change for women in utilities

Significant strides are being made toward greater gender inclusivity across the energy and utilities sector. We must ensure that women in utilities feel empowered, supported, and equipped to succeed at every stage of their careers.

At SmartestEnergy, we recognise that allyship plays a vital role in accelerating gender equity in our industry and creating an environment where women can thrive. Allyship is about more than just acknowledgement of the challenges someone faces – it requires action. To be an effective ally, individuals must actively support and advocate for women and other underrepresented groups, addressing barriers and biases that hinder progress.

Leadership plays a crucial role in this by promoting inclusive workplace cultures, fostering psychological safety, and creating opportunities for diverse voices to be heard. Non-female allies have an essential role in challenging inappropriate behaviours, advocating for equity in policies and initiatives, and amplifying the voices of their colleagues.

At SmartestEnergy, we are committed to embedding inclusivity into the fabric of our company culture. Through our SmartestBalance initiative, we have launched an Allyship campaign that provides employees with training on key topics such as inclusivity, bias, and psychological safety. We host internal events to facilitate open conversations, enabling employees to learn from each other’s experiences without judgement. By fostering open dialogue, showcasing inspiring journeys, and providing practical support, we hope to drive tangible, lasting change within our industry and beyond.

However, to build a truly inclusive sector, we must look beyond our own workplace. More must be done to break down the barriers that deter women from entering – and then staying – in the industry, from addressing imposter syndrome to ensuring that networking opportunities are inclusive and accessible. Companies are responsible for creating pathways for women to advance into senior leadership roles by implementing diverse hiring practices, mentorship programmes, and leadership development initiatives.

There is work to be done in diversifying access to the energy and utilities industry. But through allyship, championing equity, and taking deliberate action, we can create a more diverse, dynamic, and innovative energy sector – one where women not only enter but are positioned to thrive. As we look to the future, SmartestEnergy remains committed to being part of the solution, working collaboratively with industry partners like Women Utilities Network to build an equitable and inclusive utilities landscape.