Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) is an arm’s-length body of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, dedicated to supporting the development and deployment of new nuclear technologies in Great Britain. The programme will deliver three SMR units, with the first site confirmed at Wylfa on Anglesey, supported by more than £2.5 billion of government investment.
At Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N), diversity, equity and inclusion have been embedded into our organisation from the very beginning. As a new organisation helping to shape the future of nuclear energy in the UK, we recognised early on that building an inclusive culture could not be something we added later—it had to be part of our foundation. This commitment has been led from the outset by a dedicated Talent Attraction & Diversity Lead, ensuring that inclusion is considered in how we recruit, develop, engage and support our people every step of the way.
As a result of this intentional approach, GBE-N has developed a culture where diversity is valued, different perspectives are encouraged, and employees are empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. Inclusion is supported through a dedicated Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Working Group, which meets regularly and provides employees with a safe space to learn, collaborate, share experiences and help shape our inclusion agenda.
We believe education is fundamental to creating an inclusive workplace. Since our inception, we have invested in company-wide learning and awareness programmes, including unconscious bias training for employees, neurodiversity training delivered in partnership with specialist organisations, and a programme of anti-racism training scheduled for rollout in Q3 2026. These initiatives are designed to increase awareness, challenge bias, promote psychological safety and ensure that inclusion is everyone’s responsibility
Our commitment to accessibility starts well before someone joins GBE-N. We offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, from application through to interview and employment, ensuring candidates can perform at their best regardless of disability, neurodivergence or health condition. We use diverse interview panels wherever possible, encourage objective assessment methods, and continually review our recruitment processes to minimise bias and create fair opportunities for all applicants.
Beyond recruitment, inclusion remains a visible part of everyday life at GBE-N. We celebrate diversity and inclusion calendar events throughout the year, including Pride Month, Race Equality Week, Black History Month, International Women’s Day, Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Mental Health Awareness Week and many others. These celebrations are supported by communications, panel discussions, blogs, learning resources and employee-led conversations that encourage reflection and understanding across the business.
Learning continues through a regular programme of Lunch & Learn sessions open to all employees. These sessions explore a wide range of topics including diversity, inclusion, belonging, leadership, allyship, wellbeing, neurodiversity and lived experiences within the nuclear sector. By creating opportunities for open dialogue and shared learning, we help foster a culture where every voice is heard and valued.
Collaboration is another cornerstone of our approach. GBE-N actively works alongside leading industry and community networks including Women in Nuclear (WiN), Youth Generation Network (YGN), Racial Equality in Nuclear (REiN), and Inclusion & Diversity in Nuclear (IDN). These partnerships allow us to share best practice, learn from others, support underrepresented groups and contribute positively to advancing inclusion across the wider nuclear industry.
We are equally committed to transparency and accountability. Diversity data is monitored and reported regularly across the business, enabling us to understand our workforce, identify trends and make evidence-based decisions. This focus on measurement ensures that diversity and inclusion remain a business priority rather than a standalone initiative.
Our progress demonstrates the impact of building inclusion into an organisation from day one. As of June 2026, women represented 58% of GBE-N’s workforce, significantly outperforming the nuclear sector average of approximately 22%. This achievement reflects our commitment to inclusive recruitment, equitable processes and creating a workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive.
As GBE-N continues to grow, we remain committed to ensuring diversity and inclusion are embedded in everything we do. By prioritising representation, accessibility, education, collaboration and accountability, we are not only building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve—we are helping to create a more inclusive future for the nuclear industry as a whole.
