Northumbrian Water’s innovative approach to recruitment and retention is exemplified by the launch of HYDRO (Helping you Discover the Right Opportunity) in 2021. This digital platform was developed to improve job accessibility and support skill development, directly addressing feedback from the Great Place to Work survey about unequal opportunity access.

The company actively targets diverse areas for talent acquisition, working with local education authorities and stakeholders to engage with schools and communities.

The Innovate Futures programme, launched in partnership with the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE), attracted a significantly diverse candidate pool, with 33% female and 86% Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) participants. This programme included paid work placements and reverse mentoring, fostering unique insights for senior leadership and promoting a more inclusive workplace.

Northumbrian Water’s commitment to training and development is evident through its Aspiring Managers Programme, which offers a structured six-month development journey blending theory and practical experience. This programme has significantly boosted career progression and confidence among employees, with 43% of applicants being female and 40% of female participants gaining promotions within a year.

The company also places a strong emphasis on early career opportunities, particularly focusing on increasing female representation in engineering roles (since 2018, women have made up 47% of participants on undergraduate programmes).
The Building our Futures microsite and gender decoder tools in job adverts have further contributed to this effort, leading to notable increases in female promotions and applications. Northumbrian Water’s Innovation Festival raises the profile of women in STEM.

Fairness, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of Northumbrian Water’s operations, as evidenced by the TIDE (Together for Inclusion, Diversity & Equity) strategy, launched in 2022. With a gender-balanced executive team led by CEO Heidi Mottram, the strategy promotes awareness and knowledge sharing.

The company’s Diversity and Inclusion Networks, including Rainbow Support Network and Thisability, maintain positive two-way conversation and ensure colleagues feel supported.

Northumbrian Water hosts internal diversity-themed sessions, guest speaker events and the TIDE Podcast, covering topics such as ethnicity, neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ communities. These initiatives foster an inclusive culture where employees feel comfortable discussing challenging topics and contributing to organisational improvements.

The impact of Northumbrian Water’s commitment to a positive work environment and employee development is reflected in the 2023 Great Place to Work survey. 88% of colleagues provided feedback, resulting in the company being awarded Great Place to Work Certified Employer Status for the fourth time.

The survey showed significant improvements, with an 8% increase in the perception of the company as a great place to work and a 7% rise in the Trust Index score. The company’s Aspiring Managers Programme, yearly masterclass series, online learning platforms and continuous review of diversity have led to a more engaged and productive workforce, enhancing overall business performance.
Northumbrian Water’s ‘Just an Hour’ employee volunteering scheme has supported numerous community initiatives, and their commitment to the local economy and environment is evident through their support of innovative projects like the bluespaces scheme to improve accessible water environments.