Nuclear Rainbow Forum launched to make sector more inclusive

The Nuclear Rainbow Forum aims to make the nuclear industry more inclusive and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community.

Launched in December at the Nuclear 2022 conference in London, it has attracted 17 member organisations from across the industry so far.

The new initiative, pioneered by Jacobs and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), aims to share best practices, campaign collaboratively and run joint schemes to promote diversity and raise awareness.

Katie Godfrey, Europe lead for Prism, Jacobs’ LGBTQ+ employee network, said the response from conference attendees had justified the company's decision to pioneer this new initiative.

“I’m so proud of the response we got from the Rainbow Forum,” said Godfrey.

“There was a constant stream of people at the Rainbow Forum stand asking questions, offering support, and thanking our team for being so visible.

“At Jacobs, we live inclusion and we are sure that the Rainbow Forum can help bring about meaningful change that will benefit the nuclear industry.”

Jacobs’ vice president for business development, David Ellis, said: “The Nuclear Rainbow Forum reflects the UK nuclear industry as it is today – forward-looking, inclusive and welcoming towards a very diverse range of people.”

The members of Nuclear Rainbow Forum include Jacobs, UKAEA, Rolls-Royce, EDF, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Nuclear Waste Services, Nuvia, Cavendish Nuclear, Magnox, Urenco, Sellafield Ltd, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Prospect Union, the Nuclear Industry Association, Babcock, and the National Nuclear Laboratory.

UKAEA director of materials research and inclusion sponsor, Amanda Quadling, said: “UKAEA is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment in which everyone can thrive. In doing so, we strive to achieve greater diversity across the industry and welcome the launch of the Nuclear Rainbow Forum.”

Jacobs recently retained LGBTQ+ equality charity Stonewall’s coveted Gold Award, once again ranking no.6 in its Top 100 Employers for LGTBQ+ People Index.