WISE initiative of the year award

AtkinsRéalis

The AtkinsRéalis Menopause Network is delivering a step change in how menopause is understood and supported within a STEM organisation. By combining peer leadership with executive sponsorship, it addresses a key driver of gender imbalance—retaining experienced women at a pivotal career stage.

Despite improved early-career representation, female participation declines at senior levels, with menopause often coinciding with peak professional and personal pressures. With over 800 members, the network has normalised conversation, strengthened manager capability, and influenced policy, creating measurable cultural impact.

Its inclusive, global approach enables women to remain and thrive, strengthening organisational resilience and long-term gender diversity in STEM.

Playground Games

Playground Games connects internal culture change with external girls-in-STEM outreach, creating a full pathway from early inspiration to long-term retention and progression. Through careers fairs, Girlguiding workshops, school outreach, STEM days and careers support, the studio is helping girls and women see that STEM can be creative, accessible and achievable within the games industry. 

The outreach initiative is practical, creative and measurable, reaching 36,204 students through Girlguiding game design workshops, girls' STEM days and CareersLive broadcasts.

Internally, Women@PG provides role models, community and outreach opportunities, removing barriers and helping women/girls see a long-term future in STEM. 

VodafoneThree

This VodaofneThree initiative is delivering industry‑leading, practical change through its women’s PPE programme. By launching Vodafone’s first women’s, maternity and modesty PPE range and expanding into inclusive workwear, eyewear, gloves and fall‑protection, the network has directly addressed long‑standing safety and inclusion gaps for women engineers.

This work was co‑designed with apprentices, engineers and suppliers, and amplified through partnerships with 3M and WES, influencing standards beyond the organisation.

The result is safer, happier engineers, improved retention, and tangible progress toward normalising inclusive PPE across UK engineering for VodafoneThree.