Andy Kneen, now HR Manager Trading and Supply, was involved in a road traffic accident soon after graduating from university. After two full years of rehabilitation, he felt ready to enter the job market and look for employment. It was Shell’s commitment to, and active promotion of, equal opportunities for disabled employees that first attracted him to the organisation.
"Shell was the first company to get back to me. At the time I was in a wheelchair, but they made it clear it wasn’t an issue. I had a very positive recruitment experience and I joined as a result of that. Shell was very accommodating and they created a great first impression."
After a few years working at Shell, Andy felt that he wanted to give something back. In 2005 he joined Shell UK’s enABLE Network, which at the time was a small employee group that discussed disability isssues in the Workplace. He went on to lead the Network there, and later in the Netherlands during a subsequent assignment.
“We use the network to raise awareness about different kinds of disability and impairments. One thing that’s unique about disability and D&I is that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person doesn’t always work for another. The network gives us the power to lobby the organisation and make the work environment more inclusive.”
For Andy, it’s a chance to make a difference in the lives of others in similar circumstances, for Shell it’s an opportunity to create an environment that empowers everyone to reach their full potential.
