North East law firm Womble Bond Dickinson’s commitment to fostering diversity in the chemicals industry has been recognised after the firm won the equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) trophy at the NEPIC Awards 2025.
The NEPIC Industry Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of companies and individuals in the North East England chemicals sector, and introduced the EDI award for the first time this year. Womble Bond Dickinson is involved in various initiatives and events aimed at continuing to improve gender diversity and promoting equitable practices.
Over the course of 2024, it expanded its “Women in…” series, which also reaches out to clients, focusing on understanding the issues faced by women in particular sectors. The series, led by the firm’s Thrive network, reached more than 150 clients in the technology, property, and chemicals sectors. The series involved events including one held at the Wilton Centre in Teesside, while another looked at the impact of Imposter Syndrome.
The events have focussed on the career journeys of the industry leaders that took part and their views on influencing gender diversity.
Partner Sarah Daun said: “Winning this award is a testament to our team’s relentless efforts to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion both internally and within the chemical sector. Our collaboration with NEPIC and our clients in the chemicals and process industries has helped to shine a light on some of the challenges women face but also some of the brilliant steps and initiatives the sector is progressing to address those challenges.”
Two sisters behind the women’s clothing company YANA Active ran 150km each throughout March to raise money for a North East NHS cancer unit. Charlotte and Sophie Wilson were running to raise money for the Head and Neck Cancer Unit at James Cook University Hospital following the treatment their dad Neil received for tonsil cancer, raising £2,450 for the South Tees Hospital Trust.
Charlotte said: “We were devastated when we found out that dad had cancer, and even more shocked to hear about the six-week radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment he would have to endure, but the treatment dad received from JCUH was outstanding and he’s making an excellent recovery."
1 in 43 males and 1 in 96 females will be diagnosed with head and neck cancer in their lifetime. The sisters, who live in Newcastle, both grew up in Saltburn and founded women’s activewear brand YANA Active, which focuses on creating sustainable activewear for women and supporting their community. They wore their own range throughout March whilst spreading awareness and raising funds.
Sophie added: “We wanted to do something to celebrate that Dad is still with us, but also to raise awareness and funds to support people affected by tonsil cancer. Our Mum, Susan, is a retired district nurse so was able to care for Dad at home during his treatment, but for people who are going through the same treatment and don’t have a support network, it must be so difficult.
"We’ve had incredible support from our friends and family, with lots of them joining us on our runs throughout the month. We’re so proud to have raised over £2,450 and pleased we brought people together this month to keep fit and raise awareness."
The Lynemouth Miners Welfare Institute can now tackle spiralling energy costs with the help of a four-figure grant from the Banks Group. The Northumberland village social club saw its monthly gas and electric bills more than triple after the end of its most recent energy contract, leading to severe pressure on its finances.
The trustees of the building, which is celebrating its centenary this year, began to look at ways to improve energy efficiency, with sensors being installed in its bathrooms as an initial step. A £1,600 Banks Group grant has now paid for insulation and draught excluders to be fitted throughout the building, which will help it maintain a more regular temperature and reduce the amount of energy needed to keep it comfortable. Solar panels are also being fitted to the roof.
Once all the work is finished, the trustees are hoping to open up the building as a warm hub. The club hosts local bar sports teams and private functions, while also providing a base for the Bacmans Community charity, which aims to help people living in Cresswell, Ellington, Linton and Lynemouth to achieve their personal and employment goals.
David Johnson, director at Lynemouth Miners Welfare Institute, said: “We knew our energy bills were likely to rise when we came out of our last contract, but the amount they went up was staggering and put real pressure on the Institute’s finances. Adding the insultation and draught excluders is a simple but very effective way of gaining more control over our environment, but with all the other costs we need to cover, we simply couldn’t have afforded to do it without Banks’ generous contribution.
“We’re confident that all the improvements we’re making will bring down our energy bills substantially, and we’re particularly looking forward to opening up the building as a warm hub, so that any of the village’s older residents who’re feeling isolated know they have somewhere welcoming to go for a cuppa and a chat with their friends.”
Jamilah Hassan, community relations manager at the Banks Group, added: “The Institute trustees have taken the initiative in bringing down their energy bills and making their building an even more welcoming place for local people to spend their time.”
A North East scheme aimed at restoring vital wetlands has been given a boost by Lockheed Martin. The Great North Fen is a project currently being carried out by Durham Wildlife Trust aimed at bringing back the wetland environment to 60 hectares of land which has been lost over the years.
The scheme had a helping hand from a group of employees from Lockheed Martin Space after social values project co-ordinator, Jane Quan recognised it as an important environmental project. Durham Wildlife Trust’s plans for the Great North Fen will see the recovery of wetland habitats which will help store carbon and encourage flora and fauna.
Along with giving 10% of funding to deliver part of the restoration, a team – led by Jane – spent the day at Ricknall Carrs near Sedgefield, helping to drive piling into the lowland peat to help slow down the flow of water and hold water nearer the surface, creating a natural habitat for wading birds.
Jason Skirrow, head of service and programme delivery at Lockheed Martin Space Ƶ, said: “The Lockheed Martin Space team is really pleased to be able to deliver on the Government’s social value initiative in a really impactful way by helping restore the peat bogs. We had a great day in this environmentally important area and loved contributing our time and making a monetary investment to this vitally important project.”
Emily Routledge, head of development and communications at Durham Wildlife Trust, said: “The Great North Fen is an ambitious nature recovery project which is creating interconnected landscapes that will support a diverse range of ecologically important wildlife. The support received from Lockheed Martin Space Ƶ is an important step in the next phase of restoration on the fen and it was great to host their team on site and see them get hands on with the practicalities of wetland creation.”
