Belonging in SSE Black and Ethnic Minority Group

My name is Ayesha Masood, I have been with SSE for almost 8 years. I started as a Document controller in renewables and  now work in Transmission as a Change Co-ordinator. Diversity and Inclusion has always been important to me and as someone from an ethnic minority I am sad to say I have dealt with my fair share of repercussions as a consequence throughout my working life.  I have always sought  out ways to make things better, to make meaningful changes for me and others around me.

The murder of George Floyd shook me to my core (as I know it did many others), after this I made a promise to start a conversation, to speak up and speak out, as difficult as it has been I felt there was no alternative. The opportunity was presented to create a space to do just that in the form of the Belonging in SSE Black and Ethnic minority group. This space is for anyone who wants to share their lived experience, discuss a topic or simply to learn from a different perspective. My strong belief is that it is in our differences where the real value can be gained and the only way for us to make progress.

I lead the Belonging to SSE Black and Ethnic minority group, we have a membership of almost 100 people at the moment and it is gaining momentum. The biggest achievement is the diversity within the group itself, we have individuals from lots of different backgrounds which is wonderful and serves as an example of the importance and benefits of diversity. The greatest achievement in the group is the chain reaction it has caused throughout the organisation in the less than 12 months of its existence, the conversations that have been had, the questions that are being asked and the solutions that are being sought. A path to real meaningful progress and change. The group has also been highlighted in SSE’s recent annual report as playing a part is creating an inclusive and racially diverse SSE.

Ayesha Masood
Change Co-ordinator, Transmission