What's happened
Data shows women held 43% of FTSE 350 board positions in 2025, a significant rise from 9.5% 15 years ago. Progress in leadership roles remains slow, with only 8% of CEOs being women. Experts cite barriers like unconscious bias and childcare costs, despite ongoing efforts supported by government and industry.
What's behind the headline?
The story underscores a plateau in gender diversity at the highest levels of UK business, despite notable gains in boardroom representation. The slow pace of progress in CEO and executive roles reflects entrenched biases and structural barriers, such as reliance on familiar CVs and societal attitudes. The recent departure of female CEOs and the appointment of BP’s first female CEO illustrate both the challenges and potential for change. This stagnation signals that voluntary targets alone are insufficient; systemic reforms and cultural shifts are necessary to accelerate gender parity. The focus on childcare costs and societal expectations reveals that economic and social policies must align to support women’s leadership ambitions. Ultimately, the story suggests that while progress has been made, the UK’s corporate leadership still has a long way to go before achieving true gender equality, which will require sustained effort and policy intervention.
What the papers say
The Independent and The Guardian provide contrasting perspectives on the pace of progress. The Independent highlights that 43% of board seats are now held by women, with some companies like Diageo and The Co-operative Group leading at over 70%. Anna Wise notes that progress in leadership roles remains slow, citing reliance on familiar CVs and societal biases. Conversely, The Guardian emphasizes that the number of female CEOs in the FTSE 100 has plateaued at around six to ten over recent years, with campaigners criticizing the 'cachingly slow' pace of change. Both sources agree that despite positive trends, significant barriers remain, including unconscious bias and societal expectations, which hinder women from reaching top executive positions. The Guardian also points out that the UK ranks second among G7 countries for women on boards, behind France, where quotas are mandatory. Overall, both articles underscore that voluntary efforts are insufficient and that more systemic reforms are needed to accelerate gender equality in UK corporate leadership.
How we got here
The FTSE Women Leaders Review has tracked gender representation in UK companies for 15 years, revealing steady progress in boardroom diversity but slow advancement in top executive roles. The UK ranks second among G7 nations for women in leadership, yet key positions like CEO remain predominantly male, highlighting persistent barriers and biases.
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