The Government web site [read] tells us that women on boards numbers have almost doubled in last 4 years. That means that almost a quarter of all FTSE 100 board positions are being filled by women, so a while yet for equality.
The Davies’ report, published each year alongside the Cranfield University School of Management’s Female FTSE Board report, shows British businesses are making great strides towards Lord Davies’s target of 25% by 2015, set in 2011.
Business Secretary, Liberal Democrat Vince Cable, said he is confident they will reach their target this year, but the work is not complete.
He said “British business must keep its eye on the long game, as we strive to achieve gender parity. We have made good progress in the last 4 years, and if we continue this trend in the next parliament, I would expect to exceed a third of female representation by 2020. We know that’s where the tipping point lies in influencing decision-making. We must also focus on ensuring women are rising fast enough through the pipeline and taking up executive positions.”
As of March 2015 published statistics show that:
- FTSE 100 – women’s representation on boards has increased to 23.5% – up from 20.7% in March 2014, and 12.5% in 2011
- FTSE 250 – women’s representation on boards has increased to 18% – up from 15.6% in March 2014, and 7.8% in 2011
- FTSE 100 – now has 263 women board members
- FTSE 100 – 28.5% of Non-Executive Directors are women
- FTSE 100 – 8.6% of Executive Directors are women
- FTSE 250 – now has 365 women board members
- FTSE 250 – 23% of Non-Executive Directors are women
- FTSE 250 – 4.6% of Executive Directors are women
- there are no all-male boards in the FTSE 100
- there remain 23 all-male boards in the FTSE 250