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Written question asked by Lord Ouseley (Crossbench) on Monday, 13 October 2014, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 October 2014. It was answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 October 2014 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Directors: Equality

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made with achieving diversity on corporate boards; and what percentages of (1) women, (2) disabled people, and (3) black and minority ethnic people there are on the boards of FTSE 100 companies.

Answer

Government has been supporting Lord Davies’ voluntary business-led strategy for the advancement of all women, irrespective of ethnicity or disability. These measures are working. Women now account for 22.8% of board members in FTSE100 companies, up from 12.5% in February 2011.And there are no all-male boards in the FTSE 100 down from 21 in 2011.

We do not collect statistics for, and FTSE 100 companies do not have to report on, the number of disabled or ethnic minorities on their boards.

In September 2014 The Financial Reporting Council published an updated UK Corporate Governance Code, including changes to the preface highlighting the importance of diversity on the board. This includes gender, race and a wide range of other factors including difference of approach and experience.

On 30 September the Secretary fo Business Innovation and Skills also announced his support for a business led initiative to support wider ethnic diversity on boards.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL2023
Session
2014-15
Subjects
Disability Directors Women Equality Ethnic groups
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk