Open & inclusive for all

Key events such as Pride Month are an opportunity for us to celebrate the brilliant diversity in our society and to focus on teaching tolerance, educating on pride history, continuing to move forward in equality and challenging prejudice. But committing to be an inclusive business is not just about a moment in time.

As a leader in our business and the executive sponsor of our employee network Spectrum, I am committed to helping with the vital task of making Centrica a place where everyone feels welcomed and accepted and giving our LGBTQ+ colleagues the voice, visibility and influence they deserve. 

2020 was a hugely successful year for Spectrum and we achieved so many wonderful things despite the impacts of a global pandemic and changes in our business.

• We published our Transitioning at Work guidelines which aim to support colleagues and their line managers through the transitioning process.
• We organised team virtual events, like our interview with trans racing car driver Charlie Martin
• We delivered our new ally workshops to the Centrica Leadership Team and our British Gas field colleagues.

Since becoming Exec Sponsor, I’ve seen the commitment and passion from the Spectrum team as they contribute to driving the diversity and inclusion agenda. They’re working hard alongside our other employee networks and external partners to create an inclusive environment where people feel they can bring their whole selves to work. And I’d also like to thank everyone who has taken the time to educate me. As a woman, I have experienced being in the minority in the teams I have worked in and I know how challenging that can be. So, I care passionately about creating a more diverse and inclusive organisation. And to do that we all need to understand where we are currently, and the diverse experiences of all our colleagues. I’ve seen at first hand how organisations who are not diverse lose talented people who have so much to contribute.

At a company level, our mission is to be open and inclusive for all – regardless of colour, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or culture – from the very top of our organisation to the very bottom and in everything we do. Change doesn’t happen overnight and sometimes it’s the small changes that make a big difference. For example, this year we’ve started a programme to add the pride flag to all our British Gas vans. Of us the flag symbolises diversity of all kinds, so next time you see that colourful flag driving past, remember it’s our promise to continue to drive forward our mission to be open and inclusive for all.

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far, but we know this is just the beginning. We have a responsibility to pave the way and be true leaders on all issues of inclusivity. Most importantly we genuinely want to make equality a reality in our business. It’s going to be an exciting journey ahead and everyone is welcome.