Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is encouraging individuals who are passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion to apply to join its new Inclusive Service Panel.

Responsible for developing, maintaining and operating the electricity distribution networks in the north of Scotland and central southern England, SSEN is creating a specialist advisory panel to help inform and influence its decision making, with a specific focus on the provision of an inclusive service to benefit and support all of its customers.

The Panel will be made up of a Chairperson and up to six other individuals who will guide and support SSEN's thinking and decisions, make recommendations to senior management about how SSEN supports customers with additional service requirements and help SSEN promote a truly inclusive culture within its organisation.

Lisa Doogan, Director of Customer Relationship Management at SSEN, said:

"As a responsible network operator we are committed to putting our customers at the heart of everything we do and in doing this, we recognise our services must be available and accessible to all customers equally, regardless of personal circumstances."

"We have made great progress in this area, meeting the requirements of the British Standard Inclusive Service Provision for two years in a row, increasing the number of people on our Priority Services Register, and training our employees to recognise signs of vulnerability when speaking to our customers. However, we must not be complacent and we must continue to improve and evolve our service offering, ensuring the needs of our customers continue to influence our business decisions."

"The newly formed Inclusive Service Panel will have a real voice within our organisation, ensuring views of those appointed are listened to at the highest levels of decision making within the company. This influential voice will help us promote a culture of inclusion, which is undeniably the right thing to do."

Workplace Diversity Solutions Limited, the organisation managing the recruitment process and working closely with SSEN on this initiative, has supported many of the largest businesses across the United Kingdom to become truly inclusive. The organisation has supported regulated businesses including rail operators, financial institutions and airport operating bodies to promote inclusion at every level of their operation.

Richard Shakespeare, Managing Director of Workplace Diversity Solutions Limited said:

"We are absolutely delighted to be working with SSEN on such an important project, the level of commitment shown by senior leaders within the business just shows how much SSEN values the importance of inclusion when providing their services to customers. Our team of experts believe that equality, diversity and inclusion is about much more than just compliance and is about taking a long-term strategic approach to ensure that inclusion becomes a key part of how a business operates. It's fantastic that SSEN is adopting this approach and is committed to becoming truly inclusive."

"We are really looking forward to meeting the panel members and building a strong team. I look forward to seeing this project grow and adding more value to the excellent work already undertaken by SSEN."

SSEN is looking for candidates with a wealth of expertise, knowledge and experience. Panel members should be passionate about customer service, keen to learn more about the energy industry and want to make a real difference to our customers and stakeholders. SSEN asks that panel members are able to attend 3-4 meetings per year with the expectation of providing 10 days input each year.

Applicants are invited from across the UK; however, SSEN will pay particular attention to ensuring that its customers from across the geographic areas it serves are fairly represented. Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.

For more information, or to apply by the closing date of Monday 13 November 2017, please send a CV and covering letter demonstrating your passion and explaining why you want to join the panel to the Workplace Diversity Solutions Recruitment Team via: applyworkplacediversitysolutions.com.