Read: A pipeline of opportunities

Spotlight on Mark Horsley and Northern Gas Networks

Northern Gas Networks is a powerhouse of social mobility in the region it serves, and a leader in the utilities sector in terms of purposeful action.

Northern Gas Networks Chief Executive, Mark Horsley

Established in 2005, Northern Gas Networks (NGN) delivers gas to 2.7 million homes and businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and The Humber, and Cumbria.

The company covers 37,000 km of pipeline and serves 25,000 km2, including vastly populated urban centres, as well as sparse rural areas in the North.

NGN has been repeatedly recognised by Ofgem as the most cost- efficient of the UK’s eight Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), not only delivering excellent value for money, but also supporting the region socially and economically.

Driven by its commitment to customers and sustainable innovation, NGN is at the forefront of utility companies in terms of its responsible business practices, and how it aims to have a positive impact on its customers and local communities.

Led by Chief Executive Mark Horsley, NGN works hard to help the local communities in the area it serves and should be commended for its strategies addressing social mobility.

Situated in a landscape with social mobility cold spots, NGN has taken pivotal steps in engaging with the local communities and providing them support – be that with work opportunities, education or outreach.

By employing social indices and measurements NGN has been able to target certain areas within the region, tailoring its support based on the different social mobility challenges, ranging from rural isolation and poor physical health to mental health and financial hardships.

Through the company’s work experience schemes and apprenticeships, NGN is increasing accessibility to young people, helping them develop key skills, while also giving back – culturally and economically – to the region.

Diversity and inclusivity are interwoven into NGN’s culture and the company has nurtured a workplace where employees value and appreciate one another, reflecting their broader strategy in local communities.

NGN has recognised that strategically there is still plenty to be addressed and are looking further into reducing social mobility barriers for employment, for instance, hiring across different age groups and balancing the gender gap.

NGN has created a framework which effectively draws on its partnerships to provide the necessary support and funding for the local communities in the North.

Initiatives such as Warm Hubs are a testament to the indispensable value NGN funding provides to the local communities.

Justine at Northern Gas Networks launching their Opportunity Action Plan

The company’s drive to identify vulnerabilities is aided through training and workshop sessions for NGN employees, especially operational staff.

Outreach at schools and colleges enables NGN to educate the youngest in the region and engage them with their work.

In particular, they have aptly entwined art with STEM to inspire a wider group of young people, thus understanding the impact they can have on students if addressed through different learning frameworks.

As a leading company, NGN has recognised that it needs to think in the long-term and about future generations. Its projects and initiatives are foreword thinking and creative, impacting both individuals and communities.

NGN’s strategy of taking a localised approach to making a positive social impact across its communities, and in fostering strategic partnerships on the delivery, has proven an effective way to improve the lives of even the most hard to reach groups. This has shown NGN is focusing on making a real impact in decreasing vulnerability in all of its main forms.

In addition to the highly effective strategy implemented by NGN, the Social Mobility Pledge has yet identified some areas where gaps exist, for NGN to consider.

The Social Mobility Pledge has also identified specific social mobility related gaps across communities in NGN’s service area for the company to target its efforts towards going forward.