The head of an Aberdeen group set up to raise awareness of how gender diversity impacts the north-east energy sector said she’s hopeful this could be a “game changing moment” for the industry.
Jenny Junnier, chair of the Aberdeen X-Industry Support (AXIS) Network, said the issue of a gap in gender pay isn’t new to her organisation, but said the fact it is being highlighted publicly has brought it to the attention of those in very senior positions within the sector.
She said: “While companies have had equality and diversity on their agendas, I don’t think people have really looked at it with this clarity. Very senior people are having to look at this now, when they’ve never really had to in the past.”
Ms Junnier said that if investors and decision makers within the energy sector begin to see the issue of gender equality as something that might affect their firm’s future success or bottom line, then the battle from an equality point of view, is being won.
She said: “I think the great thing is that people are realising that better equality really does equal better performance.
“I think investors are going to be looking at these headline stories and asking themselves if a lack of gender diversity is actually affecting the profitability of the business.”
With men traditionally occupying more senior positions within the energy sector, Ms Junnier accepts pay equality isn’t achievable within the next few years but is confident the spotlight being put on the issue can make a difference, adding: “This could be a game changing moment.”
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