Becky Lumlock
Becky Lumlock, SGN Board Chair
POWERful Women today welcomes SGN and Adura as the newest members of its Leaders’ Coalition, bringing two more major energy businesses into the senior-level drive to improve gender diversity and inclusion across the UK energy sector.
The Coalition brings together senior energy leaders from across the UK who have made a public commitment to improving gender diversity. Each member CEO/Chair signs the POWERful Women Leaders’ Coalition Charter, committing to accelerate gender balance, tackle barriers and share solutions across the sector.
Neil McCulloch, CEO of Adura, and Becky Lumlock, Chair of SGN, will join fellow Coalition members in using their collective leadership and influence to help drive progress, learn from one another and share effective approaches across the industry.
Their membership is announced today, 11 November, at the POWERful Women Annual Conference 2026 in London. Under the theme ‘The Human Edge: Leadership, AI and Inclusive Progress’, the conference is focused on the bold action, collaboration and accountability needed to secure lasting progress on gender diversity and inclusion in energy.
With four years remaining to meet POWERful Women’s ambition for women to hold at least 40% of middle management and leadership roles by 2030, the conference brings together senior leaders, DEI professionals and changemakers to explore how the sector can embed diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of business.
Monica Collings OBE, Chair of POWERful Women, said: “It is fantastic to welcome SGN and Adura to the POWERful Women Leaders’ Coalition. Meaningful and lasting change requires leadership from the very top, with businesses prepared not only to set ambitions but to work together, share what works and hold themselves accountable for progress.
“There is still a great deal to do to achieve a genuinely gender-balanced energy sector. Bringing Becky and Neil into the Coalition strengthens that collective commitment at an important moment, as our industry faces both enormous opportunity and significant change.
“Today’s conference is about the human edge we need to navigate that change successfully. From inclusive leadership to the opportunities and risks presented by AI, we need to make sure the energy sector of the future draws on the widest possible pool of talent and creates workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
Neil McCulloch, CEO of Adura, said: "Our support for initiatives such as POWERful Women reflects our commitment to advancing equality of opportunity across the energy sector.
"By supporting the visibility, development and advancement of women, we are helping to foster a more inclusive industry, strengthen the talent pipeline and create lasting positive change for future generations."
Becky Lumlock, Chair of SGN, said: “I’m delighted to be joining the POWERful Women Leaders’ Coalition on behalf of SGN. Gender balance doesn’t happen by accident. It needs leaders to set clear ambitions, be honest about where progress is too slow and take responsibility for closing the gap.
“Our sector is going through a once-in-a-generation transformation. Therefore, the decisions we make now about who we recruit, develop and promote – ensuring the widest possible range of talent – will shape the energy system for decades to come.
“No single company can solve this alone. I’m looking forward to working with fellow Coalition members to share what’s working, learn from one another and hold ourselves to account as we push towards the 2030 ambition.”
The announcement comes as the energy sector gathers for the 12th POWERful Women Annual Conference, which this year puts inclusive leadership and AI at the centre of the conversation.
The programme includes discussions on kindness and inclusive leadership, building an inclusive AI future for energy and understanding the gender pension gap, alongside practical workshops covering the moral and commercial value of EDI, responsible AI, career confidence and male allyship around menopause.
The conference also sees the launch of the POWERful Women Leaders’ Coalition Annual Report 2026, led by ENGIE’s Miya Paolucci, Chair for 2026 of the POWERful Women Leaders’ Coalition.
