#SpeakUp Award

This award recognises an individual, team or organisation that has championed the values of the WUN #SpeakUp campaign to create a safer, more respectful and inclusive workplace by changing unwanted behaviours and inspiring positive cultural change.

The contenders

M Group

The 'Not Cool' Psychological Safety Campaign

The ENABLE Inclusion Network created the “Not Cool” psychological safety campaign to give colleagues across M Group a simple and safe way to speak up when behaviour doesn’t feel right. Using a universal phrase “Not Cool” and a strong suite of supporting tools, the initiative helps colleagues challenge inappropriate behaviour in the moment, strengthen allyship and create more respectful and inclusive teams. With trained facilitators, psychological safety champions and a phased rollout across multiple divisions, Not Cool is changing everyday interactions and building a culture where everyone feels heard, supported and confident to speak up.

M Group Water

Welsh Water Contract – Jenny Oakley, Creating a Respectful and Inclusive Speak Up Culture Across the Contract

Jenny Oakley has played a pivotal role in strengthening our Speak Up culture by confidently challenging inappropriate language and attitudes in the office. Her leadership sparked meaningful conversations about respect, inclusion, and behaviour, leading to positive cultural change across the contract. Jenny’s actions encouraged colleagues to reflect, adjust their behaviour, and support a more respectful and psychologically safe working environment. She continues to champion openness, actively supporting colleagues and modelling the behaviours she hopes to inspire. Her leadership in calling out unacceptable behaviours and promoting positive change has made a visible and lasting impact on workplace culture.

SGN

Masuma Shamsi, Speak Up Team

Masuma Shamsi exemplifies courage, integrity, and advocacy within our Speak Up team at SGN. Masuma has been instrumental in creating and embedding a revised Speak Up Policy and Protocol launched in October 2025, ensuring employees have clear guidance to raise concerns safely. Through her dedication, she strengthens a culture of transparency and trust, empowering colleagues to speak up confidently, knowing concerns will be properly investigated and addressed. Her passion for psychological safety and commitment to openness has driven positive change across the business this year. She consistently offers insightful guidance and fosters an environment where everyone feels heard and supported.

South East Water

Estelle Ferschneider, Operations Women’s Group

In August 2025 South East Water’s Water Quality Manager Estelle Ferschneider established Operations Women’s Group. The aim of the group is to create a safe space where women can speak openly about the challenges they face, raise concerns, put forward ideas, gain confidence and learn about opportunities and career progression. It meets every two months and is attended by 18 women Operations Women's Group provides a united voice through a single-point of contact for women primarily in the male-dominated field of Operations. It is a trusted source of feed-back to the wider business and senior leadership on it can support