Celebrating diversity by embracing new talent pools

In July, we celebrate the tenth anniversary of Disability Pride Month in the UK, a time to reflect on the strides made towards inclusivity and embracing a diverse range of people in the workplace. At NESO, our dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) is highlighted through our partnership with the Disability Confident scheme and our Silver Award under the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition scheme.

The Disability Confident Scheme at NESO

This scheme is more than just a badge — it's a commitment to fostering genuine cultural change within our workplace. Our DEIB Manager, Brit Pickering, discussed with Fairer Consulting how we’ve been able to embrace the Disability Confident Scheme to support colleagues through meaningful adjustments. These include offering flexible working hours and creating quiet workspaces — steps that ensure everyone can contribute their best. The scheme's impact is delivering benefits across our organisation boosting employee retention and nurturing a diverse, innovative workforce. By focusing on individual needs and tracking the effectiveness of our initiatives, we strive for continuous improvement despite challenges like DEIB fatigue. To find out more, read Brit’s full interview.

Read here

Armed Forces Covenant silver award

Speaking at the Energy UK EDI Conference, Brit shared how we’re reaching new talent pools to ensure a there is a diverse workforce in the energy industry. Brit highlighted that one of the most underleveraged groups is the Armed Forces community. Veterans, reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and military families can bring exceptional skills to the workplace such as leadership, discipline, adaptability and technical expertise. By bridging sectors like energy and defence, we unlock opportunities, diversify our talent base and build a workforce ready for the future.

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Pictured: Brit Pickering, DEIB Manager at NESO, speaking about reaching new talent pools at the Energy UK DEIB conference.

Our commitment to the Armed Forces community was recently recognised with the Silver Award under the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme. This honour reflects our dedication to supporting veterans and their families, aligning with our core values and vision for a diverse workforce.

Andreia de Melo Cabral, Chief People Officer at NESO:

I am very proud to share that NESO has been awarded the Silver Award under the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). I see this as the first significant step in our ongoing commitment to supporting veterans, reservists, and the wider armed forces community.

At NESO, we recognise the value, skills and experience that former and current service personnel bring to our organisation. Reaching Silver level is not only an honour, but also what I see as a reflection of our values in action.

This achievement is thanks to the dedication of many colleagues across NESO who have championed our Armed Forces Covenant commitments, and to those who have served or continue to serve. Thank you to you all.

Looking forward

As we look to the future, we remains committed to these initiatives and encourage other businesses to join us in embracing diversity. By involving people and listening to all voices, we’re creating an environment where everyone can thrive at work.

If you’d like to join an organisation where you’ll feel valued, recognised, empowered and respected, ​view our available roles or register your interest for future opportunities below.

Careers at NESO