Each year, we take a moment to reflect on how Utility People is helping to shape a more diverse and inclusive energy and utilities industry—and this year is no different.
We know that diversity isn’t just a metric to meet. It’s the engine that drives innovation, strengthens teams and ultimately builds a better future for the industry. As recruitment specialists in the utilities sector, we understand the influence we can have by advocating for diverse talent and holding ourselves accountable to it.
So, how did we do in 2024–2025?
The Numbers Tell a Story
This year, 40% of the candidates we placed were women—a slight drop from 44% last year, but still significantly ahead of the industry average. According to the 2024 Inclusion Measurement Framework by @Energy & Utility Skills, just 28% of the UK energy and utilities workforce is female, down from 30% the year before.
When it comes to ethnic diversity, 24% of our placements were from ethnic minority backgrounds—well above the sector average of 8.9%, which has unfortunately declined from 12.3% in 2023 (Energy & Utility Skills, 2024). With the national workforce average for ethnic minority representation at 14%, it’s clear the industry still has work to do—and we’re proud to be playing our part in closing that gap.
Leadership Gaps Still Remain
While our own placement data shows meaningful progress, broader leadership trends across UK businesses continue to expose gaps in representation—especially at the highest levels.
According to the FTSE Women Leaders Review 2025, women now hold 43.4% of board positions across FTSE 350 companies—a record high and a sign of continued progress in non-executive roles. However, this encouraging figure masks the fact that women remain significantly underrepresented in the most senior executive positions:
- Just 7% of FTSE 350 CEOs are women
- Only 17% of Chair roles are held by women
- And 22% of Finance Directors are female
These figures highlight that, despite progress, there’s still a long way to go in achieving balanced representation at the most senior levels of leadership. As a recruiter working within the utilities and energy sector—a space where gender diversity already lags behind other industries—we see first-hand how important it is to challenge these leadership norms.
That’s why we work closely with our clients to not only build inclusive pipelines but also actively support female talent into mid-senior and executive roles, helping to shift the long-standing imbalance where it matters most.
What’s Next: Shaping a More Inclusive Future
As we look ahead, our commitment to building a truly diverse and inclusive workforce remains stronger than ever. We’re not just aiming to maintain the progress we’ve made—we’re here to build on it.
That means:
- Partnering with networks like Women’s Utilities Network (WUN) and Energy & Utility Skills to support the development and placement of more women into leadership roles
- Championing ethnic diversity across all levels—not just in entry positions, but at the strategic, decision-making tier
- Sharing our journey transparently, so that others in the industry can learn from our approach—and work with us
We also continue to encourage our clients to go beyond compliance and truly commit to culture. Because when businesses actively invest in diversity, the benefits aren’t just social—they’re commercial, cultural and structural.
Diversity isn’t a trend. It’s a transformation. And we’re proud to be part of the movement helping to reshape the face of the UK utilities sector.
If you’re a candidate looking for a recruiter who will champion your journey—or a business ready to broaden your horizons—we’d love to be part of that next step with you. Contact us today!
