Number of female directors breaks through one million mark

5 months ago 12th Dec 16:00

Experian research reveals the changing face of Britain’s boardrooms in 2007

Women are entering Britain’s boardrooms in increasing numbers and starting to change the face of business, according to the latest analysis of Britain’s 2.83 million directors by Experian®, the global information services company.

Analysis of Experian’s National Business Database for the Female Directors Report 2007 has found that, for the first time, the number of female directorships in Britain has broken through the one million mark (1,008,343) and well over one quarter (28 per cent) of directors in the UK are now female.

The number of female directorships is also growing at a faster rate than male directorships. Between 2006 and 2007, the number of board positions held by women grew by 10.5 per cent compared to a 9 per cent for men.

The research also found that female directors under the age of 30 are closest to reaching parity in numbers in the boardroom, while Property Management and the caring professions – Education, Health and Social work – are the industry sectors in which women are making the greatest impact. Geographically, Wales and the South West have the highest proportions of female directors, while for towns and cities – Truro, tops the league.

Jo Howard, Marketing Director of Experian’s Business Information division, commented: “Our latest report shows that women are making steady progress in the boardroom and in some sectors, cities and age groups they are starting to build up a real momentum. Breaking through the one million barrier is a great achievement, whilst the cracks that are visible in the glass ceilings of larger organisations demonstrate the positive contribution women are making to British business at all levels.”

Younger women lead the way to the boardroom As far a gender differences go, when it comes to gaining parity in numbers in the boardroom, it’s the young who are leading the way. Female directors aged between 18 and 29 make up over 27 per cent (56,493) of the total director population in this age bracket, higher than any other group of normal working age. Overall 5.6 per cent of all female directors are under 30, compared to 4.5 per cent of men.

Women directors gain a foothold in older businesses, and cracks are appearing in the glass ceiling While a glass ceiling remains in the very largest organisations, with women accounting for only 12 per cent (7,603) of directors in businesses with more than 250 employees and 11 per cent (9,582) in organisations with a turnover of £22.8million or more, there are signs that cracks are appearing in it. Since 2005, 1,496 more women have become directors within organisations employing more than 250 people, an increase of nearly 25 per cent.

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