In November 2021, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy announced a five-year review to support women in leadership roles in businesses and executive director positions.
Women’s representation in leadership roles remains a significant challenge. As of January 2021, there are 16 boards in the FTSE 350 with only one woman, and 130 boards with under 33% women. The 2022 Sex & Power Report signals how senior leadership in education, sport, politics, and law overlooks women’s talents, given men outnumber women in a 2:1 ratio at the top 5,166 positions of power.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the challenges facing women in leadership have magnified. The 2020 Work and Opportunities for Women Report examines how COVID-19 widened inequalities for women, stagnated leadership prospects, and constrained social and economic participation.
Some progress has occurred in recent years, with the Hampton Alexander Review reporting a 50% increase in women on FTSE boards between 2015 and 2020, with new best practices and support for women emerging across the United Kingdom.
Gender diversity in leadership must remain a top priority, to provide equal chances to succeed on merit, develop an open and inclusive culture. Promoting women’s representation has direct economic benefits, given that overcoming the workplace gender gap could add an estimated £150 billion to the GDP of the UK by 2025.
This event will address the current context of women in leadership. It will discuss the outcomes of existing initiatives, looking at how future approaches to strengthen women in leadership can thrive.
You can get more information on the event agenda, speakers, registration etc. here.