At BFY, diversity and inclusion are central to our Great Place To Work culture, also being proud sponsors of the Women’s Utilities Network.
This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating all the incredible women in our team who help to deliver exceptional results for our clients, across Energy & Utilities and Deals.
To give a flavour of what’s happening in these sectors, we spoke to Louise Willumsen (Manager), Sophie Taylor-Jackson (Consultant), and Angela Tooley (Head of Private Equity, Infrastructure & ESG) about their experiences and how BFY supports them in their careers.
Challenges facing women in Energy & Utilities and Deals
Reflecting on the challenges women face in the utilities industry, Louise Willumsen highlighted gender disparities, noting: “The energy industry is heavily male-dominated, and the gender pay gap remains an issue. The industry could do more to support women who want to start or expand their families by providing more flexible working arrangements.”
Louise also spoke about societal expectations, adding: “In consulting, travel to client sites is an essential part of what we do, yet there’s still a lingering taboo outside of work - ‘You’re traveling, but you have a child.’ I don’t think the same would always be questioned of a man.”
Sophie Taylor-Jackson shared her perspective: “Women are still greatly underrepresented in leadership, engineering, and field operations roles. In 2024, only 29% of board positions and 16% of executive director roles at the top 80 UK energy companies are held by women. Unconscious bias continues to affect the industry too, with half of women reporting they feel treated differently because of their gender.”
Sophie also added: “Whilst I really enjoy delivering strategy and commercial projects in utilities, I’m often one of the few - if not only - women in the room during key meetings. Being both a woman and one of the youngest in the room can make it easy to second-guess myself. I’ve experienced moments of imposter syndrome, wondering if my contributions are truly valuable. That said, my experience in this industry has been overwhelmingly positive. The team I work with has been incredibly supportive, and I’ve always felt that I can share my ideas and perspectives openly.”
In the Deals industry, Angela Tooley pointed out the demanding nature of the work: “The inflexibility of deal timelines and tight deadlines make it a difficult industry to navigate with young children or other caring responsibilities. Despite some brilliant female role models, the investor community is still male-dominated, and we need to work together to attract more women.”
However, Angela also emphasised that this isn’t just a women’s issue: “Men also struggle with maintaining work-life balance, and I’ve been fortunate to have some great male allies who are actively making a difference.”
Angela also highlighted the industry’s collaborative culture: “Despite its reputation, dealmaking is a very inclusive and supportive industry - we work hard and play hard together. The regional dealmaking networks are particularly strong, and women bring a different dynamic to deal teams. They’re often more considered and pragmatic, which helps drive consensus.”
Thriving as a woman at BFY
Despite these industry-wide challenges, women at BFY feel supported in their careers.
Louise shared how BFY allows her to balance her professional and personal life: “BFY allows me to be flexible, visible, and available to meet the needs of the client whilst being present at home. This is actively encouraged across all layers of the business, including Ian, our Managing Partner.”
The male-to-female ratio is well-balanced across the Senior Leadership Team, and I never feel inferior to anyone else. We embrace each other’s superpowers and have multiple avenues for support and development.
Louise Willumsen
Manager
Sophie reflected on her experience: “Since joining BFY, I’ve felt supported and encouraged to share my opinions, challenge ideas, and contribute with confidence. There’s a genuine culture of inclusivity, and I’ve felt welcomed by everyone to contribute in meaningful ways. The team includes so many inspiring, strong, supportive women who have paved the way for those earlier in their careers, like myself."
BFY also prioritises flexibility, which makes a huge difference. It’s refreshing to see both men and women in senior positions working flexible hours or part-time, proving that career progression doesn’t have to come at the expense of personal commitments. Before joining BFY, I wasn’t sure that balance was truly possible, but seeing it in practice has been incredibly reassuring and motivating.
Sophie Taylor-Jackson
Consultant
For Angela, BFY’s culture has been a game-changer: “I’m really lucky to work for such a progressive and values-based business. Our Managing Partner is a strong advocate and brilliant role model, showing that it’s possible to have a fulfilling career alongside prioritising family life.”
We’re very open about the struggles of juggling life. No matter how amazing our husbands and partners are, women are often the glue that holds things together. The team always feels they can ask for help, and despite being a small team, there is always someone to jump in and support.
Angela Tooley
Head of Private Equity, Infrastructure & ESG
How BFY supports women in the workplace
BFY has made significant strides in creating an inclusive and equitable work environment. Our commitment to gender diversity is evident in our leadership structure, where 50% of our Senior Leadership Team are women - far exceeding industry averages.
We’re also proud to have been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women, while also sponsoring the Womens Utilities Network, with our male and female colleagues regularly attending their events.
We offer:
- Transparent career development: Our Career Development Framework ensures promotions are based on merit, with clear competency levels and salary bands.
- Flexible working policies: Everyone at BFY works flexibly, allowing individuals to balance personal and professional commitments effectively.
- Support for working parents: We provide generous maternity and paternity leave policies, as well as part-time and compressed-hour options.
- Investment in professional growth: We fund training programmes, conferences, and networking opportunities to help employees advance in their careers.
- A culture of open conversations: Through sessions like our regular ‘Lunch and Learns’ on leadership confidence and imposter syndrome, we create spaces for sharing experiences and learning from one another.
Join our team – we’re hiring!
At BFY, we’re committed to ensuring that talent, not gender, defines success. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out in Energy & Utilities or Deals, we offer a supportive environment where you can thrive. As our team continues to grow, we’re always looking for ambitious individuals to join us.
If you’re interested in a career at BFY, visit our Jobs page here.
Rachel Littlewood
Director
Rachel leads our operational and financial turnaround engagements, helping to solve complex operational challenges while maximising commercial performance and customer outcomes.
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