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Highlights
- Only eight of the UK’s top 100 companies are headed by women, as per the latest Female FTSEBoard Report.
- 27 of the FTSE 100 companies have 31 women in top executive roles.
UK’s top listed companies have though made a significant progress in terms of gender targets, but still the number of women in senior leadership positions, like chief executives and chief financial officers, is quite less. According to a latest research report by the Cranfield School of Management, of the top 100 UK companies, just eight had women CEOs, which is the highest figure in the female FTSE board report since 1999, but still, it is far less.
As per the EY sponsored report covering the 12 months up to 20 July, the voluntary target set by the Hampton-Alexander review for 33% women on all boards was exceeded by the FTSE 350 group of companies. Meanwhile, the figure for FTSE 100 companies was 38% and for the mid-sized FTSE 250 companies was 35%.
Both FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies failed to meet the Hampton-Alexander target of 33% women on their boards, with 21% and 32% of women on their boards, respectively. Thus, the report highlighted the disadvantages of voluntary targets and prompted if it’s time to make them mandatory.
With 60% positions held by women in its board, drinks group Diageo led the race among FTSE 100 companies, while online grocer Ocado stood last with just 17% women on its board. EY managing partner Alison Kay said the overall number of women on boards is far less important than the progress of women in executive roles. Executive roles are held by 31 women in 27 companies in the UK’s top 100 listed companies, eight are CEOs and 15 are CFOs or finance directors.
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Let’s take a look at some of the top FTSE companies with women in leading positions.
Diageo plc (LON: DGE)
Diageo plc is one of the largest distillers across the globe with presence in many countries. Its current market capitalisation stands at £81,866.71 million, and it has given a return of 31.25% in 1 year. Its YTD returns stand at 21.99%. The previous close price of Diageo plc’s shares was GBX 3,511.00 as on 6 October 2021.
Burberry Group plc (LON: BRBY)
Luxury fashion house Burberry Group plc is one of the leading brands in apparels and accessories. Its current market capitalisation stands at £7,513.54 million, and it has given a return of 16.22% in 1 year. Its YTD returns stand at 3.699%. The previous close price of Burberry Group plc’s shares was GBX 3,511.00 as on 6 October 2021.
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Compass Group plc (LON: CPG)
UK-based Compass Group plc is the largest contract foodservice company across the globe. Its current market capitalisation stands at £26,644.52 million, and it has given a return of 23.58% in 1 year. Its YTD returns stand at 9.57%. The previous close price of Burberry Group plc’s shares was GBX 1,493.50 as on 6 October 2021.
Taylor Wimpey plc (LON: TW)
Taylor Wimpey plc is one of the prominent names in real estate offering apartments and luxury homes. Its current market capitalisation stands at £5,396.99 million, and it has given a return of 29.82% in 1 year. Its YTD returns stand at -10.77%. The previous close price of Taylor Wimpey plc’s shares was GBX 148.00 as on 6 October 2021.
Severn Trent Plc (LON: SVT)
Severn Trent Plc operates across the globe to provide clean water. Its current market capitalisation stands at £6,596.72 million, and it has given a return of 6.93% in 1 year. Its YTD returns stand at 15.90%. The previous close price of Severn Trent plc’s shares was GBX 2,636.00 as on 6 October 2021.
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