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The Hidden Truth: Diversity on Boards across UK listed Firms

The Hidden Truth: Diversity on Boards across UK listed Firms

Protiviti, for the third consecutive year, has sponsored 'The Hidden Truth' report from WB Directors. This report highlights the state of gender representation in boardrooms. While progress has been significant over the past decade thanks to initiatives like the FTSE Women Leaders Review, female representation is far from equal, especially in listed firms outside of the FTSE 350. It reveals that just 12.7% of key roles—like Chair, SID, CEO, and CFO—are held by women, with merely 0.7% being women of color. This underrepresentation underscores the need for boards to champion equity.

 

Access the Full Report here.*

Full Report

* Note: For this paper, while Protiviti experts provide views on the value of board diversity, the firm did not participate in the development of WB Directors' research, analysis or commentary.

WB Directors
"Whilst overall representation of female board members has improved significantly, equal representation around every board table is a long way off."
Janet Barberis

“Regarding diversity, while there have been important advances at the leadership ranks in organisations over the past decade, the glass ceiling still very much exists. This is why the research and advocacy that WB Directors performs is so important.”

– Janet Barberis
Managing Director, Protiviti

Matthew Duncan

“To understand the lack of representation of women, and women of colour in particular, we must look at the talent pipeline at every level and at the new generations coming in. The reasons behind a lack of diversity are complex, being interwoven with company culture and effective ED&I action. There are no simple solutions here.”

– Matthew Duncan 
Managing Director, Protiviti

Matthew Duncan
Fiona Hathorn

“Gender diversity in UK listed boards has improved, yes, but an unacceptable number of board tables are still male dominated. I sense a real danger of attention drifting on this issue.”

– Fiona Hathorn
CEO, WB Directors UK 

Leadership

Bernadine Reese
Bernadine Reese
Bernadine is a Managing Director within our Financial Services Industry (FSI) Regulatory practice in the UK. Prior to joining Protiviti ten years ago, Bernadine was a Director in KPMG’s Regulatory Services practice. A chartered accountant by training, Bernadine has over ...
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Janet Barberis
Janet Barberis
Janet is a Managing Director in our financial services internal audit practice in the UK. She has over 30 years of internal audit, risk and controls experience and has held senior internal audit and operational roles at leading organisations across the financial ...
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Matt Duncan
Matt Duncan
Matt Duncan joined Protiviti UK as a Managing Director in September 2022. Based in London, Matt has more than 18 years of experience delivering change successfully for his clients.Matt leads our change and transformation practice in the UK, as well as our people ...
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