Bord Gáis Energy achieves Investors in Diversity Gold Accreditation
Building a workplace where everyone can thrive.
As Bord Gáis Energy marks 50 years of serving customers across Ireland, the company has achieved a significant milestone in another area of its business: becoming the first utility in Ireland to receive the Investors in Diversity (IiD) Gold Accreditation from the Irish Centre for Diversity. Bord Gáis Energy is now one of only 43 organisations nationwide to hold the accreditation, recognising its commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where all colleagues can thrive.
For Bord Gáis Energy, the recognition is not simply about policies or programmes. It reflects years of work to embed diversity, equity and inclusion into everyday business practices, leadership decisions and workplace culture.
“Achieving Investors in Diversity Gold is an important milestone for Bord Gáis Energy, but more importantly it reflects the culture we’re building every day,” says Catherine Lonergan, Director of Customer and Commercial and Executive Sponsor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
“Creating an inclusive workplace doesn’t happen by chance. It requires commitment, accountability and a willingness to keep evolving. This recognition reinforces our belief that every colleague should have the opportunity, confidence and support to thrive. It’s part of how we bring our ‘Know Your Power’ ethos to life internally, ensuring people feel valued, respected and empowered to be themselves at work.
That commitment is reflected across the organisation. Over the past year, Bord Gáis Energy has continued to invest in initiatives designed to remove barriers, create opportunities and support colleagues at every stage of their life and career. This has included the relaunch of its Apprenticeship Programme, with an ambition for 30% of all apprentice roles to be filled by women by 2030; the introduction of a Hormone Health Programme; enhancements to family-friendly policies such as non-birth parent leave, and the rollout of an updated WorkLife Balance Framework. Through its Mental Health First Aiders and participation in the Elephant in the Room movement, Bord Gáis Energy creates space for conversations that are often left unsaid.
These initiatives form part of a broader strategy with several progressive policies in place to ensure inclusion is embedded across the employee experience rather than treated as a standalone programme.
Just as important is the role colleagues themselves play in shaping workplace culture. Bord Gáis Energy’s six employee-led networks including BRÓD, its LGBTQ+ network; REACH, its multicultural network; the Women’s Network; Carers Network; Neurodiversity Network; and Working Parents Network help bring inclusion to life across the business. These groups provide valuable insight, champion underrepresented voices and help influence company policies and decision-making. Collectively, they represent more than 500 colleagues who are actively helping to shape a more inclusive workplace.
The company’s approach is also grounded in listening. Through its colleague engagement survey, Our Voice, Bord Gáis Energy consistently ranks among the top-performing organisations in the energy and utilities sector, providing important feedback on colleague experience and helping to identify opportunities for continuous improvement
Alongside internal initiatives, Bord Gáis Energy has made public commitments to advancing inclusion. Earlier this year, the company continued as signatory of Business in the Community Ireland’s Elevate Inclusive Workplace Pledge, reinforcing its commitment to accountability, data-led progress and leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion. The pledge provides a framework to measure impact, share learnings and ensure momentum continues in the years ahead.
The company’s efforts have also been recognised externally. In 2026, Bord Gáis Energy received the Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Initiative Award at the Business & Finance ESG Awards and secured Silver in the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion category at the eir Business Chambers Ireland Awards. These achievements, combined with the Investors in Diversity Gold Accreditation, reflect the sustained effort of colleagues across the organisation to create a workplace where everyone can belong and succeed.
While the recognition is welcome, Bord Gáis Energy sees it as part of an ongoing journey rather than a destination.
“Inclusion is never finished,” says Catherine. “The needs of our people, our customers and society continue to evolve, and we must evolve with them. We're proud of what we've achieved, but we remain focused on creating a workplace where every colleague feels respected, supported and able to bring their whole selves to work. That is how we'll continue to build a stronger business and a stronger culture for the future.”
As the company looks ahead to its next 50 years in Ireland, the Investors in Diversity Gold Accreditation stands as recognition of what has been achieved so far and a commitment to continue building a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.