New study finds women hold a third of board roles at top companies

A third of board positions in leading companies are now held by women, according to a new study.

The Government said that means a key target of a review it backed has been met almost one year early.

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom welcomed the “fantastic work” of the Hampton-Alexander Review, saying the target had been achieved voluntarily and without the need for legislation, fines or penalties.

But the review highlighted a lack of female representation in senior leadership and executive roles in FTSE companies, making up only 15% of FTSE 100 finance directors.

Ms Leadsom said: “The Hampton-Alexander Review has done fantastic work but it’s clear that women continue to face barriers to success, whether that’s through promotion to key roles or how they are treated by colleagues.

“Businesses must do more to tackle these issues and we will support them in doing so, including through our world leading reforms to workplace rights.”

Denise Wilson, chief executive of the Hampton-Alexander Review, said: “Half of all available appointments to FTSE 350 leadership roles need to go to women in 2020, not only to meet the 33% voluntary target but to ensure UK business fully benefits from diverse perspectives and is availing itself of the whole talent pool.”

Sir Philip Hampton, who chaired the review, said: “We have come a long way since 2011 when the UK first embarked on a drive towards greater gender equality at the top of British business.”