Attracting more women to the top table in finance
Of 130 directors of 17 companies floated on the London Stock Exchange last year, only 15 (11 per cent) were female, according to the latest analysis from the Financial News.
The figures are slightly more positive when it comes to firms already on the FTSE 100, where 20.4 per cent of directors are women; the corresponding percentage for the FTSE 250 is 15.1 per cent.
A great deal of discussion has taken place in recent years about how the financial services industry can improve the number of female workers who rise to the top; the prospect of quotas has been mooted, by the EU as well as other organisations.
However, as the market for initial public offerings in Europe revives following a flat few years, concerns have been raised once again that the leadership structure of many firms is 'too male and too pale'.
Anne Richards, Chief Investment Officer of Aberdeen Asset Management, said there have been fewer women reaching the top echelons of business than she anticipated.
"It's ultimately the chairman's responsibility. They ultimately have to get it, if there is a major shareholder involved, they have to get that it matters too. Unless they are convinced, then nothing will change," she added.
One problem when it comes to initial public offerings is that firms tend to look for board members with a great deal of expertise, meaning they are less likely to take a chance on an unproven figure.
Jenny Willott, junior minister for women and equalities and for employment relations and consumer affairs, recently spoke at the Work & Family Show 2014.
She said: "We need to make sure they're looking at a broader poll of women. Headhunters tend to go for people with the same likeness to themselves and we need to break away from that."
Our commitment to diversity
We recognise and advocate that a diverse workforce contributes positively to a company’s success and growth. Learn more about how we are leading by example and contributing to the conversation in the diversity and inclusion space.
Signup to receive the latest discipline specific articles
Related articles
Teaser
TechnologyContent Type
General
19/03/24
Summary
The year 2024 emphasises the crucial role of RegTech — a beacon guiding firms through the evolving global regulatory landscape, enabling them to connect the dots between short-term challenges and
by
Paul Roche
Teaser
TechnologyContent Type
General
19/03/24
Summary
The UK tech sector retains the number 1 spot in Europe and number 3 in the world as sector resilience brings continued growth. With this demand comes stiff competition. London offers a wide range
by
Ghazal Mayahi
Teaser
GeneralContent Type
Career Advice
19/03/24
Summary
Are you considering a change of scenery? Just look at London - an incredibly diverse city, with over 1,600 languages spoken and 300 nationalities represented. At the centre of the UK's 4.2 milli
by
Kelvin Murphy
Related jobs
Salary:
£180,000 - £200,000 per annum + Equity, Bonus and Benefits
Location:
England
Industry
Professional Services
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£175,000 - £250,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin executive Search is working with an international PE-Backed Buy and Build Corporate Services Business.
Reference
TA3218
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£60,000 - £65,000 per annum
Location:
London
Industry
Transport & Logistics
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£60,000 - £70,000
Job Discipline
Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Contract
Description
We've partnered with an international airline group who are in search of a systems accountant for a 12 Month assignment.
Reference
BBBH179790
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Jaden AlieAuthor
Jaden AlieSalary:
€75,000 - €85,000 per annum
Location:
Dublin City Centre, Dublin
Industry
Business Services
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£70,000 - £80,000
Job Discipline
Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Contract
Description
Managing a Finance team and overseeing the day-to-day monitoring, maintaining and updating of the finance systems, as well as contributing to the development and implementation of system enhancement..
Reference
BBBH179794
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Sarah FallonAuthor
Sarah FallonSalary:
€60,000 - €65,000 per annum
Location:
Wicklow
Industry
Energy, Resources and Industrial
Business Services
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£50,000 - £60,000
Job Discipline
Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Our client is a very well known household brand - currently seek a qualified Financial Accountant to join their expanding team in a newly created position
Reference
BBBH179778
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Sarah FallonAuthor
Sarah FallonSalary:
£60,000 - £65,000 per annum
Location:
London
Industry
Property and Infrastructure
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£60,000 - £70,000
Job Discipline
Newly Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Contract
Description
Interim Financial Accountant required for FSTE listed real estate business!
Reference
BBBH178975
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Jaden AlieAuthor
Jaden AlieSalary:
£45,000 - £55,000 per annum
Location:
London
Industry
Media & Communications
Qualification
None specified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£50,000 - £60,000
Job Discipline
Legal
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Corporate Paralegal £45,000 - £55,000 p/a London (Hybrid)
Reference
BBBH179793
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Maximillian SombartAuthor
Maximillian SombartSalary:
£40,000 - £50,000 per annum
Location:
London
Industry
Investment Management
Qualification
None specified
Market
Financial Services
Salary
£50,000 - £60,000
Job Discipline
Legal
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Paralegal / Legal Assistant - Financial Services £40,000 - £50,000 p/a London (Hybrid)
Reference
BBBH179641
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Maximillian SombartAuthor
Maximillian SombartSalary:
£30,000 - £45,000 per annum
Location:
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Industry
Professional Services
Qualification
Part qualified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£40,000 - £50,000
Job Discipline
Internal Audit
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Working with a leading business that are recruiting for an Internal Auditor to come onboard and join a growing team.
Reference
BBBH179781
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Rajveer SanghaAuthor
Rajveer SanghaSalary:
£75,000 - £85,000 per annum + Comprehensive Benefits Package
Location:
Blackburn, Lancashire
Industry
Consumer & Retail
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£80,000 - £100,000
Job Discipline
Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Head of Financial Accounting role for a global business based in Blackburn paying up to £85,000 and additional benefits.
Reference
BBBH179785
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Nathan JonesAuthor
Nathan JonesSalary:
£23,000 - £27,000 per annum
Location:
Chester, Cheshire
Industry
Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
Qualification
None specified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£25,000 - £30,000
Job Discipline
Part Qualified & Transactional Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Purchase Ledger Clerk
Reference
BBBH179783
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Glenn FyfeAuthor
Glenn Fyfe