Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Third of FTSE 100 board members are women: Study  

A THIRD of all board positions in the UK’s FTSE 100 companies are now held by women, a research showed.

This means a key target of the government-backed Hampton-Alexander Review has been met almost a year earlier.


The figures show 33 per cent of all FTSE 100 board members are now women, up from just 12.5 per cent less than a decade ago.

However, on the flipside, just 15 per cent of the FTSE 100 finance directors were women.

The latest research was produced exclusively for the review by the Global Institute for Women Leadership at King’s College London.

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom welcomed the development in meeting the target, achieved on an entirely voluntary basis without the need for legislation, fines or penalties.

However, figures from the review highlight a concerning lack of female representation in senior leadership and key executive roles in FTSE companies.

The data shows that further work is needed for many FTSE 100 companies individually, and for the FTSE 250 overall to meet the 33 per cent target, as it currently sits at 29.5 per cent.

Research also shows women face everyday sexism in the workplace, with examples including higher reports of insults or angry outbursts directed at women compared to men.

King’s College surveyed almost 350 men and women at board or executive committee level and found that 33 per cent of women reported someone at work had made disrespectful or insulting remarks about them, compared to 13 per cent of men.

The study further noted 23 per cent of women reported that they had been shouted or sworn at by someone at work, compared to 16 per cent of men.

Around 34 per cent of women reported someone at work had ignored or failed to speak to them, or given them the “silent treatment” compared to 23 per cent of men, the study added.

Professor Rosie Campbell, Director of the Global Institute for Women Leadership, King’s College London, said: “Where there are hostile workplace cultures, we simply can't ask women to lean in and try harder to reach leadership positions.

“Instead, we need to ensure that undermining behaviour is called out, not rewarded, and build an inclusive environment that embraces diverse leaders and allows everyone to thrive and give their best work.”

The forthcoming employment bill will seek to better support women in the workplace, with measures including enhanced protection from pregnancy and maternity discrimination and, subject to consultation, making flexible working the default.

Leadsom said: “The Hampton-Alexander Review has done a fantastic work. But it’s clear that women continue to face barriers to success, whether that’s through promotion to key roles or how they are treated by colleagues.

“Businesses must do more to tackle these issues, and we will support them in doing so, including through our world leading reforms on workplace rights.”

Denise Wilson, CEO of Hampton-Alexander Review, said: “Half of all available appointments to FTSE 350 leadership roles need to go to women in 2020, not only to meet the 33 per cent voluntary target, but to ensure the UK business fully benefits from diverse perspectives and is availing itself of the whole talent pool.”

More For You

Satya Nadella backs £30bn Microsoft push in UK
Satya Nadella
Satya Nadella

Satya Nadella backs £30bn Microsoft push in UK

MICROSOFT CEO Satya Nadella on Wednesday (17) said the American tech giant is “doubling down” on its investments in Britain as US president Donald Trump began his state visit with the launch of a US-UK Tech Prosperity Deal.

The agreement focuses on advancing fast-growing technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and nuclear innovation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jaguar Land Rover’s factory in Solihull, Britain

FILE PHOTO: A member of staff works on the production line at Jaguar Land Rover’s factory in Solihull, Britain. REUTERS/Phil Noble

Government steps in as JLR cyber attack stalls output

BRITAIN's largest carmaker, Jaguar Land Rover, said a pause in production due to a cyber attack would now stretch to September 24, extending the stoppage at its plants to more than three weeks.

The luxury carmaker, owned by India's Tata Motors, said it shut down its systems in early September to contain the hack that has severely disrupted its retail and manufacturing operations.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi & Trump

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.

Reuters

India, US to discuss trade issues after tariff hike

INDIA and the United States will hold trade discussions in New Delhi on Tuesday, officials and Indian media reports said, as the two countries look to resolve a tariff dispute.

India currently faces high US tariffs on most of its exports and has not yet been able to reach a trade deal that would ease the pressure.

Keep ReadingShow less
Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal recalled that in February, Narendra Modi and Donald Trump had instructed their trade ministers to conclude the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by November 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Trade talks with US moving forward positively, says Indian minister Goyal

INDIA’s commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that negotiations on the proposed trade agreement between India and the United States, which began in March, are progressing in a positive atmosphere and both sides are satisfied with the discussions.

He recalled that in February, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Donald Trump had instructed their trade ministers to conclude the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by November 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
Baiju Bhatt

At 40, Bhatt is the only person of Indian origin in this group, which includes figures such as Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg. (Photo: Getty Images)

Baiju Bhatt named among youngest billionaires in US by Forbes

INDIAN-AMERICAN entrepreneur Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of the commission-free trading platform Robinhood, has been named among the 10 youngest billionaires in the United States in the 2025 Forbes 400 list.

At 40, Bhatt is the only person of Indian origin in this group, which includes figures such as Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg. Forbes estimates his net worth at around USD 6–7 billion (£4.4–5.1 billion), primarily from his roughly 6 per cent ownership in Robinhood.

Keep ReadingShow less