ScottishPower’s In-Fuse were named LGBTQ+ Employee Network Group of the Year at the inaugural UK Metro Pride Awards in central London this week.
Hundreds of people gathered to recognise the organisations, celebrities, businesses and allies that campaign for LGBTQ+ rights. The awards took place on the 50th anniversary of LGBT History Month, celebrated every February.
In-Fuse was shortlisted in a category including major brands such as Shell, Vodafone, Amazon and AER Lingus, making its success all the more impressive.
The LGBTQ+ Network award was to honour an exceptional LGBTQ+ network championing inclusion, advocacy and meaningful impact across an organisation, brand or community.
ScottishPower was also nominated in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion category but narrowly missed out to heathcare organisation Create Fertility.
In-Fuse began as an employee network 7 years ago when a small group of employees met to discuss how to build a community for LGBT+ identifying employees and allies, to champion diversity, inclusion and equality – and to use their lived experience for the betterment of all at the company.
It was the first LGBT+ employee network to be established across Iberdrola’s global operations, which spread from the UK to Brazil, the US and beyond with 40,000 employees.
Eight years on In-Fuse has led on the company’s colourful presence at Pride events in both Scotland and England along with working tirelessly to enhance company culture.
It has also held regular fundraising events and donated thousands to LGBT+ charities every year including the Albert Kennedy Trust supporting LGBT+ homelessness; Waverly Care, Scotland’s only HIV charity; LGBT Youth Scotland, TiE (Time for Inclusive Education) and Switchboard, the national LGBT+ support line.
Members of the In-Fuse team collected their award from event host and broadcaster Rylan Clark at the ceremony, which was also attended by Keith Anderson Chief Executive, Charlie Jordan ScottishPower Renewables CEO and Gillian Noble, ScottishPower Renewables Managing Director Onshore, who also chairs the Executive Diversity & Inclusion Committee for ScottishPower.
Keith Anderson, ScottishPower Chief Executive, said: “At ScottishPower, we want everyone in our team to feel confident and proud about who they are and what they do. That confidence and pride is what drives our success.”