Sodexo has hosted a networking event to promote the benefits of greater gender balance in the oil and gas industry.

More than 60 delegates from across the industry were welcomed to the breakfast event at the Chester Hotel in Aberdeen by Sodexo senior VP for UK offshore and marine business Susan Elston last Tuesday (30 May).

Executive director of Catalyst Europe Allyson Zimmerman gave a keynote speech on the value of inclusive leadership and overcoming the gender divide in science technology engineering and mathematics professions.

A panel debate involving oil and gas industry leaders Chevron Upstream Europe managing director Greta Lydecker, The Oil & Gas Technology Centre CEO Colette Cohen and Amec Foster Wheeler chief people officer Will Serle, discussed how to bring more diverse talent into the sector.

Sodexo Energy & Resources employs nearly 40,000 people who provide hospitality services for clients at more than 1,600 offshore and onshore units worldwide.

Susan Elston, Sodexo senior VP for UK offshore and marine business, said:  “It was a pleasure to welcome leaders from across the oil and gas industry to promote the benefits of greater diversity and inclusion in the sector. I’ve been working in this industry for most of my career and while it has overcome many challenges there is still more to do.

“Gender balance isn’t only the right thing to do, it’s good for business. Sodexo’s own global study found where our management teams are gender balanced those business units were more profitable, had better client retention and better employee engagement, among other key business benefits.”

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