Great Britain: nearly 40% women on FTSE 100 boards

On 22 February, the UK Government-backed FTSE Women Leaders Review – revealed that the boards of companies in the FTSE 100 stock market index now include 39.1% women, compared with 36.2% in 2020 and 12.5% ten years ago. Following on from the work and aspirations of the Hampton-Alexander review (c.f. article No.12783), this rise is the result of a decade of incentives that have been based on voluntary participation rather than on a quota system. ” It is excellent to see the progress being made, but we know there is more to be done,” noted Minister for Women and Equalities Liz Truss. Currently, one in three senior management positions is held by a woman. In addition, a quarter (25%) of executive committee members and 8% of chief executive officers (CEOs) are women. In order to continue to strengthen gender equality, the FTSE Women Leaders Review has announced four new recommendations: 1) A new minimum voluntary 40% representation target for #WomenOnBoards & #Leadership by 2025 across companies making up the broader FTSE 350 index, 2) FTSE 350 companies should have at least one female occupying the most senior roles by the end of 2025 (Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Finance Director, Senior Independent Director), 3) Encouraging shareholders to urge FTSE 350 companies that still have to reach the previous 33% female representation by 2020 target to do so, and 4) Extending the Scope to the Top 50 largest private (unlisted) companies (in terms of sales revenues).