Women hold almost 45% of seats on FTSE 100 boards, report says | Women in the boardroom

Women occupy more than two in five seats on the boards of Britain’s biggest listed companies after further progress was made last year, but the number of female FTSE 100 chief executives dipped for a time to fewer than 10, according to a report.

The proportion of board positions held by women at FTSE 350 companies rose to a new all-time high of 43.4% last year, up from 42.1% in 2023, according to the government-backed annual FTSE Women Leaders Review. Among the 100 biggest listed companies, the proportion of women in the boardroom was even higher, at 44.7% versus 42.6% in 2023.

The report, sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group and the consultancy KPMG, shows that women occupied 1,275 of roles on company boards and 6,743 (35%) of leadership roles at the 350 FTSE companies last year.

This means the UK ranks in second place internationally for women in the boardroom, behind France in G7 countries. France has 45.4% female representation on company boards and has used quotas, along with other countries, while the UK target of 40% female boardroom representation by the end of this year is voluntary.

“Today’s report shows that while the momentum is with us, we have so much further to go,” said Poppy Gustafsson, the minister for investment. “I know from founding my own business how strong female voices inspire positive change throughout an organisation, bringing new ideas and adding greater value.”

However, the number of women in top positions in the FTSE 350 fell slightly, to 19 female chief executives compared with 20 in 2023.

The female FTSE 100 CEOs are Emma Walmsley at GSK, Jennie Daly at Taylor Wimpey, Amanda Blanc at Aviva, Debra Crew at Diageo, Liv Garfield at Severn Trent, Louise Beardmore at United Utilities, Margherita Della Valle at Vodafone, Milena Mondini at Admiral Group and Allison Kirkby at BT. The Entain chair, Stella David, has also stepped in as the interim chief executive of Britain’s biggest bookmaker, to replace Gavin Isaacs after his surprise departure a fortnight ago. She had also led the company, which owns Ladbrokes, Gala, Foxy Bingo and PartyPoker, on an interim basis before Isaacs became CEO in September.

At an event in London on Tuesday evening, business leaders, ministers and the leaders of the review will meet to reflect upon the progress made and the “contribution it is making to creating a stronger, more dynamic economy”.

The government wants to work with business to bring more women into key roles such as company chairs, CEOs and other executive roles.

Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said: “The UK is leading the charge for gender equality in boardrooms, but we cannot rest on our laurels. We must break down the barriers that stop many women being represented in decision-making roles, so that top talent reaches the highest levels of leadership in businesses driving economic growth across Britain.”