The latest FTSE Women Leaders Review, supported by the government and sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group and KPMG, has revealed that FTSE 350 firms in the U.K. have surpassed the target of having 40% women on boards.
This target, first achieved in 2023, has been further exceeded with 43% of board positions held by women, up from 42.1% in 2024 and a significant rise from 24.5% in 2017, when the report was launched.
The U.K. now ranks second in the G7 for female board representation, following France, where 45.4% of board roles are held by women, according to Drapers.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasized the U.K.’s leadership in gender equality within boardrooms, noting that while progress has been made, efforts must continue to remove barriers preventing women from reaching top leadership roles and driving economic growth.
Vivienne Artz, CEO of the FTSE Women Leaders Review, highlighted the U.K.’s unique government-backed, business-led voluntary approach, calling it a global leader in transforming industry leadership. However, she stressed that continued effort is required to meet the target of 40% women in leadership by the end of this year.
