An analysis of Companies House data has revealed that women hold just 10 percent of executive roles at FTSE firms, excluding company secretaries. The findings shed light on the gender imbalance within senior leadership positions in the UK’s top companies.
Lack of Women in Top Executive Roles
At the FTSE 100 level, two-thirds of companies did not have a woman in a top four executive role, highlighting the significant underrepresentation of women in key decision-making positions. Research from Women on Boards further revealed that 19 percent of FTSE 100 firms did not meet the Financial Conduct Authority’s target of having at least 40 percent women on their boards.
Progress in Board Representation
On a positive note, among the 585 FTSE All-Share listed companies, female representation on boards has risen from 36 percent to 40 percent over the past year. Additionally, the number of all-male boards has been halved, with only four remaining.
The Importance of Female Role Models
Joanna Kori, Head of People for Encompass Corporation, emphasized the significance of increasing female representation at all levels of an organization. She stated, “Being able to see, relate to, and learn from a range of role models is incredibly important when it comes to inspiring and encouraging others to progress and reach their goals.” Kori highlighted the need for proactive support for women to thrive in leadership roles and called for addressing the gender balance, particularly in industries like technology.
Addressing Underlying Issues
Sheila Flavell CBE, Chief Operating Officer of FDM Group, expressed concern about the underrepresentation of women in executive positions and its connection to other issues such as the gender pay gap and limited access to learning and development opportunities. Flavell stressed the importance of businesses recognizing these challenges and taking consistent steps toward achieving true equality in the workplace. Actions like mentorship, flexible childcare policies, and female-focused networking can empower female staff and create opportunities for them to excel in senior roles.
Persistent Gap in Board Representation
Despite progress in some areas, meeting the FCA’s board representation target remained a challenge for many FTSE firms. The analysis showed that 36 percent of FTSE 250 companies, 41 percent of smaller listed FTSE companies, and 73 percent of AIM-listed organizations fell short of the target.
The Call for Strong Female Voices
Fiona Hathorn, Chief Executive of Women on Boards, stressed the need for a stronger female voice in the boardroom beyond non-executive director roles. She highlighted that having women in executive positions is crucial for creating an impact and improving the representation of women throughout the executive pipeline.
While progress has been made in increasing female representation on boards, the data highlights the ongoing need to address gender imbalance in senior leadership positions. Efforts to provide support, mentorship, and equal opportunities for women are vital in achieving true equality in the workplace and fostering diverse and inclusive organizations.
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