Sector News

Top FTSE Firms on Target to Appoint 25% of Women on Boards by 2015

October 17, 2014
Diversity & Inclusion
“The home straight is in sight” for top UK firms appointing 25% of women to their boards by 2015, according to the head of the Davies Review steering group.
 
Denise Wilson, the chief executive of the group set up in 2011 by the government to monitor progress of meeting Lord Davies’s 25% target for FTSE 100 firms, said the argument for having more women on British boards was clearer then it was when the group was established more than three years ago.
 
“Along with Australia, we are two countries in the world that has made really great progress – we just need to keep it up. The home straight is in sight,” Wilson said.
 
But Wilson said the group was “slightly concerned” at the pace of appointment of female executives, which had slowed over the past six months.
 
“Why are we trailing? I don’t know. It might be that we have been over-positive in our messaging,” Wilson said.
 
Wilson, who made the comments at a 30% Club Evolution of the Board summit, said board chairmen have been a “major part” of the initiative’s success.
 
“They have been key to moving the dial. But actually nothing matters more than taking action. It’s good to have loyalty and support, but nothing is going to bring progress like a determined, decisive chairman.”
 
Wilson explained that the group have positioned the call for more women on boards as a business issue and not a diversity issue.
 
“Building the executive pipeline further down is a longer-term task,” Wilson said.
 
“However, we are seeing many, many chairmen and chief executives turning their attention seriously to that.
 
“We would like to see more women sitting on nomination committees and women who are on boards championing other women in the workplace and opening up opportunities.”
 
The number of women directors on FTSE 100 boards has jumped from 15% in 2011 to 22.8% in September 2014, according to the Professional Boards Forum BoardWatch.
 
But data from the Department for Business found that 61 of the FTSE 100 firms still have to reach 25%.
 
“Although our target is in sight, we must keep up the momentum,” said Vince Cable, the business secretary.
 
“All companies with fewer than 25% of women on their board need to take firm action now to increase female representation.”
 
By Ian Silvera
 
Source: IB Times

comments closed

Related News

June 3, 2023

How this first-gen immigrant became a tech executive by finally accepting her differences

Diversity & Inclusion

The biggest career wins often come with risk. On our series, The Big Bet, Chief speaks with some of the most powerful members in our network about that single moment when they bet on themselves — and won. When reflecting on her career, Suman Rao, VP Business Technology Group at HelloFresh, says her journey has been “very checkered yet connected.”

May 27, 2023

When great minds don’t think alike

Diversity & Inclusion

The author, who has more than 50 years of experience in industry and academia, explains how she processes information as a visual thinker and shares how business leaders can harness the power of different kinds of thinkers. Doing so will increase creativity, ignite problem solving, and lead to more cohesive workplaces.

May 21, 2023

How recruiters can attract top talent from different generations

Diversity & Inclusion

In today’s ever-changing job market, recruiters need to focus on innovation and adaptability when it comes to their recruitment strategies. They must keep up with the shifting demands of different generations of candidates and create an attractive work environment that appeals to them. This was the finding of Monster’s recent research.

How can we help you?

We're easy to reach