Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top 350 companies in the UK script history by inducting more women on boards

FOR the first time women make up more than a third of all board members in top 350 companies in the UK.

New data shows that there has been a considerable increase in representation of women on the boards of the FTSE 350 companies.


However, 41 per cent of FTSE 350 companies have not reached 33 per cent woman representation on their boards.

Business secretary Alok Sharma has demanded companies to take action to ensure more women representation by the end of December 2020 target.

In 2016, the independent, government sponsored Hampton-Alexander Review set a series of recommendations to drive the representation of women on boards of top 350 companies in the UK.

Representation of women at the top of business has risen by 3.8 per cent in last year despite the challenges created by the pandemic, latest figures showed.

It also revealed that 19 boards within the top 250 companies have only a single woman board member. There is also one all-male board compared to 152 all-male boards in 2011.

“While I am pleased that the FTSE 350 as a whole has finally hit this historic landmark, more than 100 of the UK’s top companies have failed to meet the target," said Alok Sharma.

“Research shows that diverse leadership teams are more innovative and make better decisions. As the UK economy continues to recover from coronavirus, increasing representation of women on boards represents a golden opportunity not only to rebuild, but build back better.”

In February, the Investment Association (IA) and the Hampton-Alexander Review jointly wrote to around 40 companies in the top 350, with one woman or less on their board, regarding their 'lack of gender diversity'.

Denise Wilson OBE, chief executive of the Hampton Alexander Review said that it was encouraging to see the number of women at the top of British business continue to increase.

“This confirms the UK’s business-led voluntary approach is working and the benefits of diversity are being recognised, with business seeking more than ever those with fresh energy, new ideas and diverse perspectives.”

Sir Phillip Hampton, chair of the Hampton-Alexander Review said that the target was achieved due to the 'collective and inclusive' efforts of all of our stakeholders in the past decade.

“Although good progress has been made with many companies recently appointing additional women to their boards and senior leadership teams, some laggards remain," Chris Cummings, chief executive of the Investment Association.

“Diversity results in better decision-making and plays an essential role in a company’s long-term success and investors expect companies, at a minimum, to meet the target set."

Companies can submit their own gender data via a secure portal on the Hampton-Alexander Review website.

The portal will open on 2 November for the final report, and will close on 30 November, an official statement said.

More For You

Jio Platforms

Jio Platforms includes India’s largest telecom operator, Reliance Jio Infocomm, with more than 500 million users. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Jio IPO planned for mid-2026, AI unit announced with Meta and Google

RELIANCE Industries plans to take its telecom and digital arm, Jio Platforms, public by mid-2026, chairman Mukesh Ambani said on Friday. The announcement sets a new timeline for the long-awaited IPO of a business analysts value at over $100 billion.

At its annual general meeting (AGM), Reliance also announced the launch of an artificial intelligence unit in partnership with Google and Meta.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asda tech overhaul

Asda sales fell 0.2 per cent in the three months to June 30, 2025 (AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Asda boss hails tech overhaul as key to revival despite sales slump

THE chairman of Asda has admitted the supermarket chain still faces challenges after sales slipped again over the summer, but said the completion of a major IT overhaul was crucial for its recovery.

Allan Leighton told the Times that the long-delayed technology project, called Project Future, had finally been finished after years of setbacks and costs exceeding £1 billion. The work involved separating more than 2,500 systems inherited from former owner Walmart, following Asda’s 2021 takeover by TDR Capital.

Keep ReadingShow less
JLR-Getty

A logo is pictured outside a Jaguar Land Rover new car show room in Tonbridge, south east England. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

UK car exports to US rebound after trade deal

UK VEHICLE exports to the United States rose in July after a new trade deal between London and Washington reduced tariffs, industry data showed on Thursday.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), exports increased 6.8 per cent in July to nearly 10,000 units, following three consecutive months of decline.

Keep ReadingShow less
Relatives of jailed Briton appeal to UK minister in AgustaWestland row

Christian Michel

Relatives of jailed Briton appeal to UK minister in AgustaWestland row

THE family of Christian Michel, the British businessman accused of acting as a middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal, has appealed to the UK government to push for his release from Delhi’s Tihar Jail.

Michel’s relatives met Foreign Office minister Catherine West in London on Tuesday (26). The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the minister listened to their concerns and updated them on ongoing steps being taken.

Keep ReadingShow less
Blackburn loses Issa empire as brothers move EG Group to US

Zuber and Mohsin Issa (Photo: LDRS)

Blackburn loses Issa empire as brothers move EG Group to US

ASIAN entrepreneurs Mohsin and Zuber Issa are moving the headquarters of their global forecourt company, EG Group, from Blackburn to the US in preparation for a major stock market listing in New York.

The firm confirmed that its main office will relocate to Charlotte, North Carolina, while a new base in Bolton, Greater Manchester, will handle its remaining UK operations, the Telegraph reported. The change brings an end to almost 25 years of the company being run from Blackburn.

Keep ReadingShow less