Northern Gas Networks’ (NGN) industry-leading Young Innovators Council (YIC) – which offers young people aged 14-19 the opportunity to discuss social and environmental issues and challenges important to them, and inform key decision making – has been shortlisted for another award.
The YIC is one of the contenders for ‘Impact Company of the Year’ at the Better Society Awards which celebrate the efforts that commercial organisations are making to create a more equal, ethical and sustainable world.
The Awards have been running for 11 years and are organised by the Better Society Network, which also encourages positive environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts and aims to inspire organisations to improve their ESG commitments.
NGN teamed up with the social enterprise Solutions for the Planet to launch the YIC in 2020, and continues to partner with them to ensure its decisions reflect the views of its future customers and colleagues, and to challenge NGN to make decisions mindful of future generations.
NGN delivers gas to 2.9 million homes and businesses across the North of England – and the YIC’s hugely valuable insights tell NGN what matters to their customers of the future, such as climate change, sustainability, the transition to net zero and ongoing challenges linked to the cost of living.
Recently, the YIC’s feedback helped shape NGN’s Business Plan for 2026-2031 which outlines a fairer, greener future for the North of England.
Last year, the YIC was nominated for ‘Best Use of Innovation in Customer Engagement’ at the Engage Awards, and also made the shortlist for the ‘Business Innovation’ Award at IGEM’s Gas Industry Awards.
Jenny Wilkinson, Stakeholder Engagement and Research Lead at NGN, said: “We’re really proud that the YIC have been nominated for another award, which is further proof of its wide-reaching and demonstrable impact.
“The YIC was a first for the energy sector and has helped shape Northern Gas Networks’ business plan, as well as future-proofing the organisation. It has built relationships, fostered genuine collaboration and is a true social mobility success story.
“The members’ voices have helped us prioritise delivery programmes, flagged blind spots, and challenged the business to be braver and more ambitious in the decisions it takes.”
Claire Fitton, Youth Insights Manager at Solutions for the Planet, said: “NGN was an early adopter in truly embedding youth insight. Working with NGN to recruit, support and facilitate this panel of brilliant young minds has shown what’s possible when businesses truly listen to and learn from the next generation.”
Membership of the YIC provides a genuine pathway into a career in the sector. Imogen Stout was a YIC member while she studied Electrical Engineering at Durham University, and has now joined NGN as a full-time Hydrogen Graduate Engineer – showing how the YIC is helping to establish a true talent pipeline.
YIC members codesigned NGN’s new work experience programmes and a schools net zero engagement programme (which has now been delivered to more than 100 schools), influenced NGN’s sustainability strategy and helped the organisation develop a framework for long-term change.
132 young people aged 14-19 have been YIC members since its inception in 2021. 74 different schools across our region have been represented, with 64% of members identified as ethnically diverse. 42% were eligible for Free School Meals, and 17% identified as having a disability or long-term condition.
The Award winners will be announced in May – watch this video to find out more about the YIC: