At St1, we strive to build an inclusive culture, where everyone can be their true selves and feel safe, valued and empowered. In early 2024, we engaged local management in Finland, Sweden, Norway, the Gothenburg refinery, and Brocklesby to align on the DEI initiative and ensure consistent implementation across all locations. In the spring, we took new steps on our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) journey, and started developing a Group-level DEI initiative. 

Lea Rankinen, Head of Sustainability & Corporate Affairs and overseer of DEI efforts, shares her thoughts on its importance at St1. “This initiative is a way to actively strive for diversity and ensure we are an inclusive workplace,” states Rankinen. Advancing DEI aligns with St1’s existing values of transparency, fairness, sustainability, and equal opportunities. 

Diversity and inclusion are also significant assets for St1. “We seek to draw on the diverse backgrounds and skills of our employees to build a more innovative, fair, and caring work environment, where diversity is seen as a strength,” emphasises Rankinen. 

Advancing DEI through the working group 

As part of the initiative, a DEI working group was formed by volunteers. The DEI initiative and working group are led by Linnea Frangén, Communications Specialist. “We have assembled a team of passionate individuals to continuously drive and advance DEI at St1. The group includes representatives from all our operating countries, who meet monthly,” states Frangén. 

“So far, efforts have primarily focused on establishing joint ways of working and raising awareness. In the spring, we organised a webinar open to all employees that addressed common myths surrounding DEI and explored the importance of DEI in a professional setting,” Frangén adds. 

The working group has published intranet articles offering practical tips for nurturing an inclusive workplace and a culture free from harassment. Frangén continues, “We also launched a DEI intranet site and material bank with training videos and articles to support continuous learning.” 

Another action taken by the group was the addition of gender-neutral bathrooms at St1’s head office. “By providing gender- neutral bathrooms, we create a more inclusive environment, especially supporting non-binary, transgender, or any employees who prefer non-gendered spaces,” Frangén explains. 

Building progress for the long term 

“We have only just started our DEI journey, and we acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. We approach DEI as a long-term commitment, rather than a sprint,” states Frangén.  

For the first time, our annual employee engagement survey in 2024 also included questions on DEI. “The results were promising. Even though DEI as a concept is new to St1, the results reflect our existing company culture, values and long-term emphasis on psychological safety,” concludes Frangén. 

The next steps in St1’s diversity, equity and inclusion journey will focus on developing a more structured roadmap and initiatives that align with available resources. To support this progress, St1 is participating in the UN Global Compact’s Target Gender Equality Accelerator. This nine-month programme helps companies set and reach ambitious targets for women’s representation, equal pay, and leadership in business. 

According to Frangén, the key aspect going forward is being open to new perspectives, “DEI is about continuous learning, and it is a journey we are all on together.”