A WATER and wastewater company has ranked fourth in the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List 2024/25.

United Utilities, headquartered in Great Sankey, improved its position from 11th place in 2023.

The company was also awarded Diversity Team of the Year at the 10th annual Inclusive Awards.

These awards highlight organisations making effective changes to become inclusive employers.

The 2023 ceremony was held at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, hosted by Sean Fletcher from Good Morning Britain.

Julie Newton, United Utilities' head of people, engagement, and culture, said: "It’s a tremendous honour to be ranked so highly in the Inclusive Top 50 Employers List and for our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team to be recognised as team of the year.

"Our equity, diversity and inclusion agenda underpins all aspects of the organisation and demonstrates our commitment to providing and supporting an inclusive working environment for all of our colleagues.

"We need fantastic people to enable us to deliver the best public service and it is important to us that we support our employees in bringing fresh ideas and innovation.

"To do this, we make sure we are reaching and recruiting from every community."

She added that the company ensures all colleagues can reach their full potential, regardless of gender, age, race, disability, sexual orientation, or social background.

To achieve this, they work with external partners and organisations, including the Black Interns programme.

Paul Sesay, founder and CEO of Inclusive Companies, said: "Each year we receive hundreds of entries from organisations who submit a huge amount of evidence in respect of their inclusive practices, covering a wide range of areas and topics.

"The IT50 List recognises employers whose culture ensures diversity and inclusion are embedded into everything they practice with the judges looking for organisations which show consistent activity and evidence of sustainable change."