This week, the Scottish Energy Forum was delighted to welcome members and guests to Aberdeen for a discussion centred on findings of the latest POWERful Women State of the Nation report and what it means for the future of our industry.
The report, presented by Georgina Worrall OBE, Head of POWERful Women, provides an important benchmark for gender diversity across the UK energy sector and serves as both a measure of progress and a reminder of the work still to be done. While representation continues to improve in some areas, the challenge of achieving POWERful Women’s ambition of at least 40% female representation in leadership and middle management roles by 2030 remains significant.
The purpose of the event was not simply to review the findings, but to use the data as a catalyst for discussion. By bringing together industry leaders, practitioners and future leaders from across the sector, the session sought to explore what the findings mean in practice, challenge assumptions and identify actions that can help accelerate progress.
What stood out from our panel discussion, expertly chaired by Katharine Descamps of JERA Nex bp, was the determination to focus on opportunity rather than obstacle.
Joining Katharine on the panel were Catherine Allsop of Adura, Martha Selwyn of Great British Energy, Jeannie Dannock of NEO Next+ and Professor Paul de Leeuw of Robert Gordon University’s ETI. Together, they brought perspectives spanning industry, policy, leadership and workforce development, creating a rich and engaging discussion that moved beyond the statistics to examine the practical realities facing individuals and organisations across the energy sector.
The conversation was anchored around a series of questions prompted by the report and their relevance to Scotland’s energy sector. Rather than dwelling on the less positive findings, the discussion focused on understanding the drivers behind the data and exploring the practical actions needed to sustain and accelerate progress.
A particular focus was the “sticky middle” – the stagnation in middle management roles that form the pipeline for future leaders. While there were encouraging signs within the data, the panel discussed what happens to that pipeline during periods of mergers, restructuring and market uncertainty, and how organisations can ensure talented individuals continue to see pathways for progression.
The discussion also examined how women can successfully navigate periods of disruption and change. Panellists shared personal experiences of career transitions and reflected on what helps people remain resilient, visible and prepared to step forward when confidence is tested.
“Put your hand up.”
“Apply for the job.”
“Step forward.”
These simple but powerful messages echoed throughout the morning. The panel reflected on the importance of taking opportunities before feeling completely ready, recognising that growth often comes from stepping beyond familiar territory. As the energy sector changes, many of the roles and leadership opportunities of the future are being created right now.
Culture, sponsorship and accountability emerged as another key theme. Panellists explored the distinction between mentoring and sponsorship, the importance of visible role models and how organisations can prevent inclusion initiatives from becoming casualties of wider business change. Mentors provide guidance, advice and perspective, while sponsors actively advocate for individuals, create opportunities and open doors. Both are invaluable, but they are not necessarily the same people.
Looking to the future, Professor Paul de Leeuw challenged the audience to consider the changing shape of the energy workforce. As the sector transitions from operating assets to building new infrastructure, workforce requirements are changing rapidly. The discussion highlighted the importance of ensuring women are supported to access future opportunities and that the industry avoids recreating historical imbalances within emerging sectors. The transition presents an opportunity not only to build new energy systems, but also to build a more inclusive workforce alongside them.
The final part of the session shifted from discussion to action. Following the panel discussion, participants joined facilitated round-table discussions before sharing their reflections through our Stand Up for Energy format. Designed to capture authentic industry perspectives, the session invited participants to share observations, experiences and practical ideas inspired by both the report and the panel’s reflections.
Participants spoke openly about career journeys, organisational challenges and the actions that can make a meaningful difference. The focus was on practical steps that individuals, leaders and organisations can take to retain talent, strengthen progression and maintain momentum towards a more diverse and inclusive sector.
Perhaps the most valuable contribution of the morning came from the room itself. The audience contributions demonstrated the value of bringing together different voices and perspectives and served as a reminder that progress is not driven by reports alone, but by people willing to share ideas, challenge assumptions and support one another.
The atmosphere throughout the morning was positive, pragmatic and forward-looking. While no one underestimated the scale of the challenge ahead, there was a clear sense of optimism and a recognition that periods of change create opportunities as well as challenges.
Our special thanks go to Georgina Worrall and the POWERful Women team for bringing he State of the Nation Report to Scotland, to Katharine Descamps for skillfully guiding the discussion, and to Catherine Allsop, Martha Selwyn, Jeannie Dannock and Professor Paul de Leeuw for sharing their experiences so openly. And above all to those in the room that braved the mic to share a thought!
