WUN is all about championing women in the Utilities – creating a sense of urgency for change.

We  hear from our male panel how they champion women within their workplace. We will be basing our discussion on the thought provoking comments of Jeffery Halter:

“We’ve been talking about women in the workplace and marketplace for more than 20 years, but the pace of change reveals a lack of a true sense of urgency. I wrote Why Women to generate powerful organizational conversations around the women’s leadership imperative, drive a sense of urgency for change and engage men as vocal, visible advocates for that change.”

“I focus on engaging men because you don’t have to convince women that advancing women is a good idea. You have to convince men. Men still hold 85% of the senior leadership roles in most companies. This says to me that we’re 85% of the problem but also 85% of the solution.”

Panelist includes:

Mike McNicholas , MD Infrastructure Division, Atkins/SNC Lavalin:

Mike McNicholas is Managing Director of Atkins’ Infrastructure Division, a diverse business operating across numerous markets including Aviation, Defence, Energy, Transportation, Cities & Development, Education and Water.

A Chartered Civil Engineer by profession, Mike joined Atkins following graduation from Imperial College, London, 1982. Mike has worked on most of Atkins recent flagship projects, from the 7 Star Burj al Arab Hotel in Dubai, to leading the company’s efforts on the London 2012 Olympic Games. Mike leads a team of 3,000 professionals covering professional services in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environmental and Earth sciences, Planning, Project Management, Building Physics, Structural Engineering and Applied Science. Mike’s team is engaged on most of the UK’s largest projects including HS2, Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station, Crossrail, Thames Tideway Tunnel, all the UK’s Major Projects in the Defence Nuclear Sector.

Mike is the Atkins UK sponsor for Apprenticeships; the Enable Network; and leads the Infrastructure Division’s ED&I programme which focusses on creating equality and inclusivity for all groups under-represented in the company. With three daughters, Mike has an interest in gender equality in sport, and from 2010 was a coach, manager, secretary and treasurer of a 100 strong all girls football club in Surrey.

Phil Beach CBE, Chief Executive Energy & Utility Skills

Phil joined Energy & Utility Skills in September 2020, bringing with him experience in regulation, skills and education to an organisation that works with industry to provide a safe, skilled and sustainable workforce. In his previous role as Executive Director for Vocational and Technical Qualifications at regulator Ofqual, Phil led the reforms for all vocational and technical qualifications, assessments and apprenticeships including the development of T Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications. Working closely with Government and Industry, Phil has a particular focus on the quality, including the apprenticeship end-point assessments delivered by his Ofqual-regulated organisation.

Prior to joining Ofqual, Phil served in the Royal Air Force for 30 years, with much of his career focused on command, leadership, strategy, policy and capability.  Phil received an MBE in the 2000 New Year’s Honours List, a Queen’s Commendation in 2004 and his CBE in 2014 for operational leadership.

Further panelist include: Dave Hinton CEO of South East Water. Further details to follow.

Please contact [email protected] for further details regarding this event.