
The figures at a glance
The number of female CEOs in this sector hasn’t experienced steady growth during this period. Instead, numbers have oscillated during the years 2012-2020. While representation hit a relative high during the years 2017-2019, where numbers hit six, (compared to 4 in 2012), by early 2020, the number of female CEOs in these firms dropped to only five. But why is female representation in the FTSE 100 important? Not only is better gender representation a moral imperative and if displayed at the top tiers of business, can influence others, but female equality in business provides offers better commercial gains too. In fact, a 2015 study found that if women were a fully integrated part of the economy, it could add up to 26% to annual global GDP by 2025. Here are the facts in detail:- In 2020, 5% of FTSE 100 CEOs are women while 95% are male
- In 2019, only 23% of FTSE 100 executive committees were women
- In 2019, the number of women in FTSE 100 executive and senior positions was just 28.6%

- Emma Walmsley: GlaxoSmithKline
- Liv Garfield: Severn Trent
- Carolyn McCall: ITV
- Alison Brittain: Whitbread
- Alison Rose: Royal Bank of Scotland Group
Earnings and representation
Despite better base salaries for women in this area, male CEOs are still paid more in bonuses, with total remuneration numbers being vastly higher for both average male CEOs and for the highest-paid male CEO in FTSE 100 firms. Out of the FTSE 100 firms included in the report, 61 said they had “some way to go” to achieve equal gender representation in their leadership roles, while 20 said they had “potential to achieve a 33% target” this year. So far, only 18 of the businesses included in the report “already achieved” the 33% target. The report also appears to confirm that within FTSE 100 firms, women are most likely to be found in certain types of leadership roles as opposed to others.Projections and equality
Women, however, do make a better show on the boards of FTSE 100 firms, where their representation has been increasing year on year, with a 33% equality target already reached in early 2020. Based on this current growth rate, full equality at board level could be achieved by 2029. However, when it comes to achieving greater female representation at CEO level, the projections are not as optimistic. According to the report’s findings, at the current rate of growth, it will take over 80 years for women to account for 50% of FTSE 100 firm CEOs. However, growing gender equality on the boards of FTSE firms is something to celebrate, and is indicative of the growing importance and influence of diversity and inclusion policies in the world of business, as in other walks of life.Things to celebrate
Despite the work that still needs to be done, governmental pressure has helped realign the gender imbalances within the sector and has led to an increased number of appointments for women, allowing for the 33% level of representation that was reached across FTSE 100 boards in February 2020. Since then, there have more improvements where, as of this month, there are no men-only FTSE 100 boards, compared to 21 all-male boards in existence under a decade ago.Share this story