Statistics show the proportion of women on boards is continuing to increase

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09 Oct, 2014

Figures published today show that the proportion of women on UK boards continues to increase. However, further appointments are still required in order to achieve 25 per-cent female representation by 2015 as set by Lord Davies in his report in February 2011.

Statistics released by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) highlight that women made up 22.8 per-cent of FTSE 100 directors (as of 2 October 2014), up from 20.7 per-cent as of March 2014 and 12.5 per-cent as of February 2011 when Lord Davies reported.  The figures also highlight that 31.8 per-cent of all board appointments in the last six months have been women, down from 35.5 per-cent in the previous six months. To achieve the target set by Lord Davies, 24 more board seats on FTSE 100 companies are required to be held by women.  

FTSE 250 companies are also reporting an increase with 17.4 per-cent of women directors on their boards, up from 15.6 per-cent as of March 2014 and 7.8 per-cent as of February 2011.  24.3 per-cent of all board appointments to FTSE 250 companies in the last six months have been women, down from 33.3 per-cent in the previous six months. 

There are now no all-male boards in the FTSE 100, while the number of all-male boards for FTSE 250 companies has decreased from 48 in March 2014 to 28 in October 2014. 

The government acknowledges that the 25 per-cent target is "in sight" but cautions that "businesses must keep up the momentum" in order to reach that target by 2015.

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