New network to shake
up male-dominated renewable energy industry
‘Entrepreneurial
Women in Renewable Energy’ calls on ambitious women to join and represent their
sector
A new network, which will
challenge the assumption that renewable energy it is simply a male-dominated
industry, was kickstarted yesterday at the south west’s biggest low-carbon
event.
Entrepreneurial Women in
Renewable Energy (EWiRE), an initiative that has been driven by Regen SW events
manager Rachel Hayes, was launched at the Annual Renewable Futures conference
in Bath in front of some of the industry’s most successful businesses. It was a particularly significant day for
EWiRE as the enterprise also received formal notification that it has gained
funding from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation for the first phase of its
development.
Rachel is now urging all
ambitious women in the UK renewable energy industry to connect with the network
and raise the profile of women in what is often perceived as a male dominated
area of business.
“Despite having some exceptional
high-profile women working in the energy industry, there is still a huge
imbalance, with men filling the majority of the highest positions in successful
companies,” she said. “As a modern,
growing industry it’s imperative that we address this and encourage more women
to rise to the top and be represented in not only senior management roles but
also as board members of small to medium-sized enterprises that make up the
majority of the energy market.”
Rachel was inspired to start the
initiative after reading Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In in 2013. She discussed her idea with Regen SW director
Cheryl Hiles, who has played a key role in the growth of the non-for-profit
organisation, rising through the ranks at Regen to her senior position.
“Our key objectives are simple
but ambitious,” added Rachel. “We aim to
greatly increase the visibility and profile of women working in sustainable
energy businesses and promote the attractiveness of working in the sector to
encourage wider female participation.
Improving this gender balance is crucial if we’re to develop an industry
that can forge its way forwards through the 21st century.”
Entrepreneurial Women in Renewables will consist
of a number of initiatives, including networking events, promoting board
positions to the network on the Regen SW site, promoting case studies of successful
women in renewables, and a training and mentoring programme for those women who
are entering the industry and have ambitions to rise through the ranks.
Today’s launch was welcomed by successful women in
the industry, including Sonia Bedford, head of renewable energy at Stephens
Scown Solicitors. She said:
“Entrepreneurial Women in Renewables is a welcome initiative that should go a
long way towards removing many of the perceived barriers that women in our
industry face. I look forward to seeing increased
visibility for prominent women within the renewable and a focus on role-models
that others can aspire to.”
Gareth Redmond from the Department for Energy and Climate
Change (DECC) said: “Can I congratulate the Entrepreneurial Women in Renewables
Initiative. If DECC can help lend its
support we would love to.”
The group’s first meeting as a formal network – an
event with the opportunity to meet up with other like-minded women – will take
place at the end of January 2015.
Any women that are already in or would like to
become involved in the renewable energy industry should contact Rachel Hayes at
rhayes@regensw.co.uk, 01392 494399.
-ENDS-
Photos
Please see attached photos, all of which include photo captions in the
file names
POWERful WOMEN campaign
This campaign, supported by Baroness Verma, aims to support women into
senior management positions in large energy companies.
Interviews
To interview Rachel Hayes contact James Reddy on the number below.
About Regen SW
Regen SW is a not for profit company working to enable business, local
authorities and other organisations to deliver renewable energy and energy
efficiency and build a prosperous low-carbon economy in the south west of
England. www.regensw.co.uk
For further information
Please contact James Reddy, Regen SW Press Associate on 07967 835947 or
email james@jamesreddy.co.uk.