Men hold two-thirds the FTSE 100 executive roles

According to Russell Reynolds Associates, two-thirds (72%) of the senior executive positions in the FTSE 100 are held by men.

Executive talent found that only 12 of the FTSE 100 companies have a balanced C-suite and 13 companies have one woman or none at the top executive level.

In a quarter of these companies, the executive committees are headed by women who make up less than 25% of their membership. Only 32% of all senior executives are female.

Women hold only 42% of the board seats at FTSE 100 companies.

Russell Reynolds examined the C-suite positions, including those of chief financial officer, CEO, and senior leaders who have P&L responsibilities, or are responsible for running regions, business units, or lines of business.

It was found that women are more likely to hold positions such as chief marketing officer, general counsel or chief human resource officer without P&L responsibilities. FTSE 100’s CHROs, 79% of whom are women, are overwhelmingly female.

Comparing the UK population to executive positions, 61% of women are underrepresented. In leadership teams, there are 28% fewer women than in the UK.

The UK is better at achieving gender parity in senior positions than the US where women only make up 29% of executive roles in Standard & Poor 100 companies.

The final report on the Hampton-Alexander Review into Women on Boards showed that in December 2020 the number of women directors in the FTSE 100 reached 33%. So, there has been a significant improvement.

Laura Sanderson said that Russell Reynolds, the co-head for Europe, Middle East & India, needed to actively manage their talent pipelines in order to improve representation at executive and decision-making levels.

“Establishing a cohort or skilled women leaders should be treated as an imperative for business, as it will support all aspects of the firm’s performance.

The evidence shows that companies with gender balanced senior leadership teams provide better customer service, are more innovative and profitable, are more socially responsible and more innovative.

The success of succession and talent management is a key indicator for organisations.

The annual Women Count Survey’s analysis of FTSE 350 last month found that the female representation in executive committees has fallen to just 32%. Only 19% of commercial executives roles are filled by women.

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