The Female FTSE Board Report 2017

FTSE 100 Companies

The Female FTSE Board Report 2017

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3.1 FTSE 100 COMPANIES WITH FEMALE DIRECTORS After a year of stagnation we are pleased to present improvements on key indicators of progress of women on boards. As of 5th October 2017, there are 294 female held directorships across the FTSE 100 boardrooms. The percentage of women on FTSE 100 boards has increased to 27.7%, up from 26% in June 2016. The turnover of board directors has been low this year, but the percentage of new appointments going to women is back on track at 34%. The percentage of female Non Executive Directors (NEDs) has increased to 33.3% and that of the Executive Directors (EDs) to 9.8%. Two hundred and fifty nine women now hold 294 FTSE 100 directorships.

I am encouraged by the upward trend in women’s representation on the FTSE boards. However, the continuing low number of women executive directors is concerning. The International Women’s Forum is committed to furthering women’s leadership globally and we are very familiar with the challenges women still have to overcome in order to achieve senior roles. A greater push is indeed needed to ensure that all FTSE boards meet the targets set for 2020. I support the report’s recommendation for minimum standards for the board evaluation industry in carrying out board reviews. As women leaders, we must continue to support one another and be strong advocates for the next generation in order to bring about much needed change.

Julie Goldstein Chair, International Women’s Forum UK