We’ve joined the Valuable 500 – because disability is our business
Diversity of thought, backgrounds and perspectives is critical to achieving our ambitions, generally and for net zero. We’ve taken a further step with this by joining the Valuable 500 – a global movement putting disability on the business agenda.
To make sure our people can thrive and achieve their full potential, and so we can attract top talent from diverse communities, creating an inclusive environment is an absolute priority for us. One of our core commitments in our Responsible Business Charter focuses on how we can strengthen the diversity and representation of our workforce.
While we have achieved notable change in recent years, we continue to take action to ensure individuals across all aspects of diversity, both visible and invisible, can succeed in our workplace. As part of this, we’ve signed up to the Valuable 500, making a commitment to take action on disability inclusion, share best practice and ideas, and advocate for change.
Joining the Valuable 500
The Valuable 500 is a global movement putting disability on the business leadership agenda. Launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, it calls for 500 of the most influential business leaders and their brands to fundamentally transform disability inclusion.
Representing 20 million employees across 64 sectors and 36 countries, the initiative aims to be a catalyst for progress and influence the actions companies are taking to be more inclusive.
We’re focused on making sure all our people feel that they can succeed at National Grid and that they have the support available to help them thrive.
National Grid CEO John Pettigrew says: “I’m proud to join 499 influential companies and CEOs in taking action to accelerate progress towards disability inclusion. Becoming a member of the Valuable 500 and working together with other business leaders to create a truly inclusive workplace reflects our core values and Responsible Business Charter commitments. We’re focused on making sure all our people feel that they can succeed at National Grid and that they have the support available to help them thrive.”
Our Enabling Employee Resource Group
This step has been driven by the hard work of our ‘Enabling’ Employee Resource Group, which aims to achieve an inclusive organization by empowering colleagues affected by their own, or others’, physical health, mental health or disabilities, by increasing awareness of challenges as well as individuals’ true abilities.
Enabling’s co-chairs have spear-headed joining the Valuable 500, working closely with our leadership team to inform them of the initiative and how we can better support colleagues living with or caring for individuals with a disability.
Creating an environment where all our people feel included, where their differences are celebrated and where they can be their true selves is a key focus for us.
Natalie Edwards, our Chief Diversity Officer, says: “Creating an environment where all our people feel included, where their differences are celebrated and where they can be their true selves is a key focus for us. It’s inspiring to see the efforts of our Enabling group, working closely with our leadership team, on this agenda and to join this initiative. It’s a testament to the brilliant networks we have at National Grid, who continue to support our efforts to foster a diverse workplace.”
