NEXTogether in Action

As part of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion journey, we took an exciting step forward in late 2025 with the launch of the NEXTogether DEI Masterclasses. These sessions are open to everyone across the group and designed to spark meaningful conversations, broaden perspectives, and strengthen collaboration.

Our goal is simple yet powerful: to deepen our understanding of one another, because when we truly connect, we work smarter, better, and we are stronger together.

These sessions focus on:

  • Expanding awareness and active engagement
  • Deepening understanding of topics like bias, inclusive language, and equitable opportunity
  • Creating safe spaces for dialogue, personal development, and professional growth

Inclusion happens in the little things we do every day. We believe everyone has a role in creating a workplace where colleagues feel valued and empowered to bring their best.

Importantly, our focus is on learning together, but also challenging assumptions, and making our culture stronger, one conversation at a time.

These sessions provide opportunities to join open, engaging conversations  on themes such as:

  • Gender – addressing equity, learning about gender identity and enabling all genders to thrive
  • LGBTQ+ – fostering allyship and equality
  • Age, Race, Disability – ensuring opportunities and respect across all dimensions of difference 

What Makes Our Approach Unique?

We are not building “a DEI programme.” We are shaping a culture with its roots in Inclusion and Inquiry: 

 

Collaborative, not top-down. Every colleague contributes to NEXTogether through learning sessions, conversations, and reflection. 

Rooted in learning. Education is our starting point, supporting colleagues to understand inclusion, ask questions, and grow as individuals and as teams. 

Diversity has been a core element of my personal and professional journey. Growing up across cultures taught me that different perspectives aren’t just enriching, they spark curiosity, resilience, and innovation. This is why diversity has always mattered to me: it’s not a concept, it’s a lived experience. And it’s at the heart of how I believe strong teams and successful companies are built.

Michael Bonte-Friedheim, NextEnergy Group CEO