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Paving the way for greater inclusion in water
Aglass ceiling is still “looming over”women working across the water industry and despite some progress, the sector is being held back by exclusion, Ofwat chief executive Rachel Fletcher told a British Water conference. Fletcher was keynote speaker atWomen on Water, which gathered 80 industry professionals together virtually to share experiences and advice to support and empowerwomen working in all areas of the industry. In a motivating address, she spoke about her personal story, acknowledged the efforts of previous generations in the battle for equality, but said the personal aspirations ofmany people today could be limited by a lack of visibility of diversity within the sector. She said:“I feel a debt to all thosewomen who fought for equal opportunities, so today it’s completely normal forwomen to have a career. Aswomen in 2020,we’ve come a very long way andwe have a huge amount to be grateful for. The glass ceiling has been smashed – or has it? “I’ve beenworking in utilities for 25 years and it still feels more male dominated than many other sectors.While it’s greatwe will soon have six water company female chief executives, it is only in the last 12 monthswe have got the first female board chair. “Female executives are still in the minority and mainly limited to customer-facing roles. It feels likewe’ve punched some holes in that glass ceiling but it is still looming over us and this worriesmebecause ifwe look up the ladder and we don’t see anyone like us, it can really limit our aspirations.” Fletcher added the biggest barrier to career progression was a lack of self-belief, highlighting the importance of networking events such as Women onWater in building individuals’ confidence. However, the industry as a whole will only reach its full potential if it embraces the skills froma more diverseworkforce, in particular people with disabilities and those froma Black, Asian, minority ethnic (BAME) background. Fletcher said:“Gender equality is the first step on the road to a diverseworkplace. Frankly, if we are not seeing full equality forwomen,we are surely a very long way fromachieving equal opportunities for those fromthe BAME community, those with disabilities, or those who haven’t had the privilege I had of growing up in a middle class home and going to a Russell Group university. “The Black LivesMattermovement is a huge reminder of howfarwe are fromtreating everyone as equals and it is somethingwe should be taking seriously.While this
discrimination and exclusion is a tragedy for the individuals concerned, it is also something that is holding the water sector back. “The industry has amazing potential to make massive improvements to our naturalworld and to showto society what can be achieved through responsible companies providing life’s essentials - but it is going to achieve this potential,we need people who think differently. “We need to be able to drawthe very best talent, wherever it is, and not be limited to drawing frompools of people who look like us on paper or in the flesh.We also need to be able to showthe communitieswe serve thatwe are just like them ifwe are to win their trust and really be able to serve them. “This ambition to embrace and celebrate diversity and to stamp out discrimination in whatever form it takes is onewe have given ourselves inOfwat and it’s an ambition I hope I can encourage you all to support.” In ending her talk, Fletcher spoke of her hope that the Covid-19 crisiswould be a catalyst for change:“None of uswould have wished a pandemic on ourworld and I grieve to see how it is hitting the most vulnerable the hardest but I also see it opening some exciting opportunities in themove to a more diverse and inclusive workplace. “The past four months has given us much to build on and tools to alloweach of us to have more fulfilled and successfulworking lives. But most importantly,we’re being offered a path to a more inclusive and diverse water industry, one that uses diversity to reach its full potential. Let’s not look back, let’s support each other and move forward and make all of our grandmothers proud.” BritishWater’sWomen onWater campaign aims to helpwomen identify, focus on and harness their strengths and understand their value and worth, while providing them with tools and guidance to support career progression. Nowin its third year, the conferencewas held in partnership with theWomen’s Utilities Network (WUN) and the Institute ofWater. A presentation fromWUNfounder Hayley Monks focussed on personal development and the importance of allocating time to assess your owncareer. She said:“Asworkingwomen,we might put ourselves second, third or fourth on the list, so diary some time in your calendar to think about
52 drain TRADER | September 2020 |
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Lila Thompson and Rachel Fletcher
you, and what road youwant to take.What is your destination, where are you today? “Maybe bring those thoughts together so you can plan. Have that focus time on yourself and that’s when you can start goal-setting. Focus on what you want to do,why youwant to do it, and howyou’re going to achieve it.” Mental health andwellbeingwere also a strong theme of the event, whichwelcomed Lisa Lloyd, a chartered psychologist, psychotherapist, trainer and consultant at It’sTime for Change. She said looking after mental health should not be perceived as a luxury. “We’re all very good at planning ourwork and planning howto juggle [other responsibilities], but howoften dowe take that step back and really think about what’s going on for us? Looking after mental health is not a luxury, it is somethingwe need to do. Ifwe prioritise looking after ourselves, thenwe put ourselves into the best position for us to be able to thrive.” In the final conversation of the event, Lynn Cooper, chief executive, Institute ofWater, chaired a panel where Julie Florey, biodiversity delivery manager at SouthWestWater, and Madeleine Crisp, project analyst at Anglian Water, gave insights into their careers and shared their personal experiences of the lockdown. Thanking participants, speakers and event partners, BritishWater chief executive Lila Thompson said:“Wewere determined to host Women onWater during the Covid-19 pandemic as the crisis has highlighted nowmore than ever, there arewomen in the industry who need support, encouragement and a network. “Our speakers gave fascinating insights into their ownpersonal journeys, aswell as guidance to helpwomen evaluate and reshape careers in a sector with aweighty gender imbalance, while building resilient mental health andwellbeing – something that should be a priority for us all. We’ve had some great feedback and I’m delighted attendees found the event valuable.”
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