THE role of women in the energy industry came under the spotlight at an event at the Mercure Ardoe House Hotel and Spa at Blairs, near Aberdeen, yesterday.
There were 66 delegates at the conference, the first to be organised in the north-east by global networking group Posit+ve Energy.
Jenny Briggs, the organisation’s manager, told the Press and Journal there were more women coming into the energy industry, with some areas of operation now seeing a 50-50 gender balance among graduate-level recruits.
But there were also disciplines which were still dominated by men, while few women made it to the top of the career ladder.
One notable exception was Dorothy Thompson, the chief executive of power station operator Drax, said Ms Briggs, adding that women had a crucial role to play in the sector during the tough economic times.
“A good gender balance can help to improve efficiency and productivity,” she said, pointing to surveys on the influence of women in corporate life.
Among other speakers were Deirdre Michie, the supply chain manager for Shell EP Europe, and 2008 British Female Inventor of the Year Tanya Ewing.