International Women’s Day allows us to pause, reflect and discuss how we can work together to create an environment where everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
On 7th March, we kicked off our celebrations by welcoming Sabreena Juneja from Ofgem to join us at RECCo. Sabreena shared her insights and career journey, sparking meaningful conversation and a healthy debate with our colleagues.
We also spoke with women across various departments within RECCo and our CEO, Sid Cox, who recognises his own crucial role in creating an environment of equal opportunity and inclusivity at RECCo.
We asked our colleagues what International Women’s Day means to them, who inspires them, and how we can continue to eliminate gender bias in the workplace. Their responses shed light on diverse perspectives and highlighted the importance of continuous dialogue and the role we can all play. See what they had to say below.
Q1: International Women’s Day is a great time to reflect on the inspiring women in our lives. Which women (inside or outside the organisation) inspire you the most?
Jenny, Marketing & Communications Manager: For me, it’s my grandmother (or Nan, as I call her). She’s 90 years old and was the first person in my family to go to university back in the 1950s. A quick Google tells me that only 1.5% of women went to university at that time, which is astounding! She worked as a teacher and was at one point the breadwinner of her household, balancing work and family life in a different era.
Aiyesha, Senior Analyst: Countless women light up my inspiration board! Within the organisation, it’s definitely Joy Nnamani, a true powerhouse (if you know, you know). On a personal note, my Grandma (Gma) takes the crown. At 100 years young, her unwavering strength and resilience in overcoming life’s hurdles continue to awe and motivate me. She’s a living testament to pushing through with grace and tenacity!
Elizabeth, Chief Operating Officer: I am inspired by the women I see forging a path for future generations. Taking their seat at the table and making it normal to see women as either subject matter experts or in roles that have been more traditionally male-dominated. I’m privileged to work with strong and visionary women and men whose actions today will make a difference in the future.
Q2. And Sid, what does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Sid, Chief Executive Officer: “International Women’s Day is not just a day of celebration but a reminder that we still have some way to go on our journey toward wider equality.
As a father of two adult daughters navigating their paths, I’m acutely aware of the opportunities and some of the challenges women face in the workplace. For me, it has always been about encouraging them to be the best they can be in their chosen field and being a positive role model. I give them advice and guidance when they ask for it (occasionally volunteering it), and I help them take control of their careers by performing, exploring opportunities to advance themselves, and overcoming obstacles.”
Q3. A question for our female team next; have you overcome any gender bias in your working life?
Jenny: Unfortunately, yes. I’ve faced more serious instances, but small occurrences throughout your working life can also be disheartening. For example, I was once asked if I was the intern in a meeting, I was chairing!
Lindsay, Senior Analyst: I don’t think I have, luckily enough. But I have seen gender bias in the workplace.
Anna, Senior Analyst: I have, but I was lucky to be supported by colleagues who recognised it for what it was and who encouraged me to stand firm. Such things have been very isolated, though. We work in an industry that has been male-dominated for a long time, but that has been changing, and I’ve found that most people I’ve worked with and collaborated with are very supportive of that change.
Aiyesha: Yes, absolutely. I faced gender bias but chose to thrive where I was truly appreciated.
Q4. Have you overcome any challenges to get where you are today?
Elizabeth: Yes, undoubtedly so. However, I also know that a lot of progress has been made and I am hopeful that some of the experiences I have encountered in the past will be far less likely to occur in the future.
Lindsay: Yes, absolutely. I wouldn’t say they were any different from the challenges everyone faces. But it really is how you face those challenges that lead to different outcomes.
Aiyesha: Yes, indeed. In the words of Maya Angelou, ‘I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.’ Overcoming challenges has been my path to growth and success.
Rachael Of course, like everyone, I imagine. Early in my career and upon entering the energy industry, I found it challenging to balance being myself with societal expectations of success. Fifteen years on, my biggest advice is: don’t waste your energy trying to fit into someone else’s mould!
Q5. Sid, as a male leader, how can you actively champion diversity and inclusion? Are there specific messages or actions you believe can positively promote gender equality in the workplace?
Sid: My approach to promoting inclusion within the workplace is to set an example. This begins with our hiring practices, which aim to cast as broad and diverse a net as possible to overcome biases. At RECCo, we strive to apply the same approach to all our employees, fostering a culture of meritocracy, diversity, and equality. This is reflected in the people we hire at all levels and in those we promote.
Last year, I took an extended leave of absence. Elizabeth Lawlor, now our COO, stepped up as the Interim CEO during that time. Given her experience, skills, and leadership qualities, she was undoubtedly the perfect candidate to lead the RECCo team in my absence.
In 2020, the Energy Council found that more than a third (38%) of the UK’s top energy companies have no women on their boards, and more than two-thirds (79%) have no women on their executive teams. Whilst not perfect, we’re proud that women occupy 43% of RECCo Board seats and 42% of RECCo’s extended leadership team.
Q6. This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #InspireInclusion – what does that mean to you?
Rachael: It’s a reminder and call to action for us all to take steps to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and included, regardless of our differences.
Mollie, Operations Consultant: Encouraging an environment free of bias, discrimination, or stereotyping. Taking the time to inspire and celebrate each other. Working together to embrace and celebrate each other regardless of age, faith, ability or identity.
Lindsay: For me, it’s about ensuring that everyone works together to promote a culture free of biases.
Aiyesha: #InspireInclusion to me means breaking barriers, just like the powerhouse women who inspire me. Whether it’s navigating the energy industry or overcoming gender bias, it’s about creating a space where everyone’s strengths are celebrated. It’s not just about getting a seat at the table but making sure everyone feels seen, valued, and appreciated for their unique contributions.
Q7. Sid, how does our organisation address gender pay equity, and what steps are being taken to ensure that women are compensated fairly compared to their male counterparts?
Sid: At RECCo, we want to attract and retain people by having a competitive package. Due to size, we have few roles which are the same, but where that is the case, men and women have been paid at the same level upon recruitment. In early 2023, we undertook an external salary benchmarking exercise. While we found that most people were paid appropriately for their benchmarked roles, we found that a small number of individuals, both men and women, were not appropriately compensated for the roles they were undertaking, irrespective of their gender. We implemented changes for all of those individuals affected. We have committed to repeating the exercise in 2025 to ensure that this continues.
Thanks for celebrating International Women’s Day with us. Learn more about IWD and this year’s theme here. Interested in a career at RECCo? Click to see what working with us is like.
