Northern Gas and Power lights the way for Inclusion Week

An energy procurement firm has reiterated its commitment to improving its “open culture of diversity and inclusion” after signing up to a national campaign.

Northern Gas and Power is partnering with Inclusion Week.

Running from September 27 until October 3, the campaign, created by Inclusive Employers, raises awareness of inclusion in the workplace.

The 2021 theme for National Inclusion Week is United For Inclusion, which is focused on bringing people and organisations together to share learning and best practice.

Among the activities Gateshead Quays-based Northern Gas and Power will take part in are the creation of diversity networking groups and the bringing together of all its UK teams for a day of celebration.

During the week, there will also be a pizza and movie day and early finish, followed by a big inter-company celebration in the evening.

On a more strategic level, the company will get feedback and insights from its people through a short survey, allowing it to better understand the views on culture and inclusion.

A new, dedicated web resource aimed to focus on the inclusive company culture is also planned for launch.

As a finale to the week, the company has worked with Gateshead Council to light up the Gateshead Millennium Bridge in its colours.

Brendan Garvey, Northern Gas and Power’s chief people officer, said: “Inclusivity impacts on businesses in every way.

“This week provides a great reminder and incentive to us as a global business to continually improve our open culture of diversity and inclusion.

“Although we are an amazingly diverse and distinct business, through our involvement in this week-long celebration, we can identify how to develop the agenda even further over the coming year.

“Inclusion needs to be reinforced every single day.”

Rupert Moyne, managing director – corporate services, at Inclusive Employers, said: Many of us have spent the past 12 months working remotely, and I hope that United For Inclusion brings us closer to our colleagues and other organisations.”

Councillor Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council, added: “As a large (and growing) employer that has committed its future to our region, we are pleased to see Northern Gas and Power fostering an inclusive culture.

“We hope their lighting of Gateshead Millennium Bridge reinforces and celebrates this spirit of openness and inclusion.”