There are more women on FTSE 350 boards than ever before, according to the Davies Review. What’s more, women are now on more than one in four FTSE 100 boards. But what about the property industry, a sector much criticised for its male dominance? Samantha McClary takes a look at the stats
The latest update of the Davies Review to improve gender diversity in business had set a target of 25% representation across business. It beat that, just, with the finding that women hold 26.1% of positions on FTSE 350 boards. Property, however, has spectacularly failed, with just four FTSE 100 propcos hitting that target. Take the real estate industry at large and there are just 71 women taking up 352 property board positions – a disappointing 20.2%. While that is more than in 2011 that is, of course, not good enough in terms of equality. But with more and more female voices being heard and a concerted effort among the real estate community to address its diversity issue, it is at least a step in a the right direction. And, after all, small steps lead to big changes.
*Grainger has since appointed Vanessa Simms as finance director, making it the first FTSE 350 company with women in the top three positions.
