Cranfield Female FTSE Board Report 2016

FTSE 100 Companies

The Female FTSE Board Report 2016

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The UK has made great strides in bringing more women into the boardroom over the last few years. We now need to channel this energy into increasing the number of women in executive and management positions, in order to develop the talent pipeline that will be crucial to realising gender equality in the corporate world. The case, however, for more equal female representation is not just one of morals and righteousness. Companies that have chipped away at their own glass ceilings never look back. The business case for putting more women into management roles is clear-cut. Research by McKinsey shows companies that score the best on

diversity are more likely to be top performers in their sector. In the UK, the gender pay gap is at its lowest level on record and the most enlightened employers are taking action, rather than just talking, when it comes to things like flexible working, job sharing, name-blind application forms and internal mentoring schemes. These are necessities that can help propel ambitious women to the top. Businesses must harness the full potential of all of their employees. Diversity is no longer an added extra or a box which needs to be ticked. It is a fundamental driver of company performance. The leaders of tomorrow – whatever their sex – will not forgive us if we fail to act now.

Lady Barbara Judge CBE Chairman of the Institute of Directors