11/11/2003
Record number of women on FTSE boards
The number of female directorships in the FTSE 100 has topped 100 for the first time, according to new research.
The report, by Cranfield School of Management's Centre for Developing Women Business Leaders, claimed that growing numbers of women are running Britain's top businesses and, for the first time, two companies, AstraZeneca and Marks and Spencer, have four female directors and women comprise a third of their boards.
A further nine companies have 20-30% female representation on their boards, a steady increase since 1999 when the Female FTSE Index was started.
The number of female directorships is up by 20% this year (101 female directorships in 2003, up from 84 in 2002), and 18 (90%) of the top 20 companies by market capitalisation have women directors this year, compared to only 8 (40%) of the bottom 20 companies by market capitalisation.
However, there are still 32 top companies with no women directors at all, and there is still only one female CEO (Marjorie Scardino of Pearson) and one female Chairman (Baroness Hogg of 3i). A third of women directors have titles (Baroness, Dame, Prof, Dr) compared to a fifth of male directors, suggesting that 'branding' was more important for female than male directors, the research said.
Professor Susan Vinnicombe, Director of the Centre for Developing Women Business Leaders, said: "The increase in the number of women directors this year is very positive. What is particularly pleasing is that 22 companies now have multiple women on their boards. These women can now be seen as individuals as opposed to 'the token woman'."
Trade Minister Patricia Hewitt said: "Women have trouble breaking into the boardroom in some companies, and even this year just 1 in 12 of FTSE 100 directors are women. That's not representative of their staff or their customers. Research shows that companies with a good mix at the top have better corporate governance records, and tend to be at the top in terms of market capitalisation."
(gmcg)
The report, by Cranfield School of Management's Centre for Developing Women Business Leaders, claimed that growing numbers of women are running Britain's top businesses and, for the first time, two companies, AstraZeneca and Marks and Spencer, have four female directors and women comprise a third of their boards.
A further nine companies have 20-30% female representation on their boards, a steady increase since 1999 when the Female FTSE Index was started.
The number of female directorships is up by 20% this year (101 female directorships in 2003, up from 84 in 2002), and 18 (90%) of the top 20 companies by market capitalisation have women directors this year, compared to only 8 (40%) of the bottom 20 companies by market capitalisation.
However, there are still 32 top companies with no women directors at all, and there is still only one female CEO (Marjorie Scardino of Pearson) and one female Chairman (Baroness Hogg of 3i). A third of women directors have titles (Baroness, Dame, Prof, Dr) compared to a fifth of male directors, suggesting that 'branding' was more important for female than male directors, the research said.
Professor Susan Vinnicombe, Director of the Centre for Developing Women Business Leaders, said: "The increase in the number of women directors this year is very positive. What is particularly pleasing is that 22 companies now have multiple women on their boards. These women can now be seen as individuals as opposed to 'the token woman'."
Trade Minister Patricia Hewitt said: "Women have trouble breaking into the boardroom in some companies, and even this year just 1 in 12 of FTSE 100 directors are women. That's not representative of their staff or their customers. Research shows that companies with a good mix at the top have better corporate governance records, and tend to be at the top in terms of market capitalisation."
(gmcg)
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25 July 2006
Women in more profitable UK boardrooms
Women are continuing to break through the 'glass ceiling' of British business, according to the latest survey of UK directors. The survey by business analysts Experian found that female directors are also more likely to be involved in profitable businesses – 57.6% of all female directors are involved in companies that make a profit, compared to 56.
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Women are continuing to break through the 'glass ceiling' of British business, according to the latest survey of UK directors. The survey by business analysts Experian found that female directors are also more likely to be involved in profitable businesses – 57.6% of all female directors are involved in companies that make a profit, compared to 56.
25 February 2011
Few Women Filling Top NI Business Posts
News that lady directors account for only 12.5% of all those in UK businesses has been greeted with disappointment in NI - and a claim that only 4% of company bosses in NI are women.
Few Women Filling Top NI Business Posts
News that lady directors account for only 12.5% of all those in UK businesses has been greeted with disappointment in NI - and a claim that only 4% of company bosses in NI are women.
16 November 2005
Women key to boosting entrepreneurship
The benefits of getting more women to take up entrepreneurship are clear according to DTI Minister for Women and Equality, Meg Munn. At the moment, women-owned businesses contribute about £70 billion to Gross Value Added, about 25% of the UK total, mainly from the growing service sector. Nearly a million women are self-employed today in the UK.
Women key to boosting entrepreneurship
The benefits of getting more women to take up entrepreneurship are clear according to DTI Minister for Women and Equality, Meg Munn. At the moment, women-owned businesses contribute about £70 billion to Gross Value Added, about 25% of the UK total, mainly from the growing service sector. Nearly a million women are self-employed today in the UK.
25 January 2005
Disclosure rules on directors' pay 'working', claims Minister
Better disclosure on directors' pay is leading to "improved dialogue" between companies and shareholders according to research published today by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Disclosure rules on directors' pay 'working', claims Minister
Better disclosure on directors' pay is leading to "improved dialogue" between companies and shareholders according to research published today by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
31 August 2011
Women Still Falling Behind In Salary League
Equal pay between the genders in NI is in focus today with a leading businesswoman, Roseann Kelly of Women in Business NI commenting on the figures suggesting that there is still a significant gender pay gap. "Unfortunately the existence of a gender pay gap is not a shock to Women in Business NI.
Women Still Falling Behind In Salary League
Equal pay between the genders in NI is in focus today with a leading businesswoman, Roseann Kelly of Women in Business NI commenting on the figures suggesting that there is still a significant gender pay gap. "Unfortunately the existence of a gender pay gap is not a shock to Women in Business NI.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.