Research suggests that companies with more diverse boards perform better and take fewer risks. Find latest research, reports, articles and guides on legal and regulatory initiatives in the UK and around the world to increase the representation of women on corporate boards.
Online books, guides and publications
eBooks
The library provides full text access to a selection of key business and reference eBooks from leading publishers.
It's not a glass ceiling, it's a sticky floor: Free yourself from the hidden behaviors sabotaging your career success
Shambaugh, Rebecca (McGraw-Hill Publishing, 2007)
According to leadership coach Rebecca Shambaugh, the real obstacle to women's advancement is not a "glass ceiling" but self-imposed career blocks that prevent them from moving up. These "sticky floors" are balancing your work and life, embracing "Good enough" in your work, making the break, making your words count, forming your own board of directors, capitalising on your political savvy and asking for what you want. This book looks at how to get unstuck from these common traps.
A woman's place is in the boardroom: The roadmap
Thomson, P., Graham, J. and Lloyd, T. (Palgrave Macmillan, 2008)
In "A woman's place is in the boardroom" the authors argued the business case for promoting women to senior executive positions in order to create more value for shareholders. This book is all about the 'how to'. It takes the arguments and analysis of the first book, and focuses on how to apply it and what to do.
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Briefings
Directors' Briefings and Start-Up Briefings are four-page guides written for the busy practitioner, director and entrepreneur providing concise, practical advice on core business issues.
Disclaimer: These publications from BHP Information Solutions Limited are for general guidance only, for businesses in the United Kingdom governed by the laws of England. BHP Information Solutions Limited, expert contributors and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (as distributor) disclaim all liability for any errors or omissions.
Useful links
Guides and publications
Women on boards: First annual progress report (PDF 1.bmb/20 pages)
On 13 March 2012 Lord Davies of Abersoch published a report on the progress made in the year since the first report was published, as announced in the press release Women on boards: One-year-on. The publication reports 'a growing recognition of the benefits gained by business, the economy and society by appointing more women to decision-making roles'.
The business case for women's economic empowerment (PDF 1.03mb/19 pages)
Report published in February 2012 as part of the OECD Gender initiative, which looks at latest developments in the level of female representation in business. The report highlights several reasons why companies should be interested in enhancing the role of women within their organisation. It also gives information on recent policy initiatives to increase female representation on company boards, including examples from countries which have introduced mandatory quotas to improve boardroom diversity.
Feedback statement: Gender diversity on boards (PDF 246kb/12 pages)
In October 2011 the FRC announced its decision to amend the UK Corporate Governance Code to strengthen the principle on boardroom diversity which was first introduced into the Code in June 2010. This statement summarises the main points from the consultation responses, the decisions taken by the FRC and the reasons for those decisions.
The changes 'will be incorporated in an updated version of the Code to be published in 2012, following consultation on proposed changes to other parts of the Code, which will apply to financial years beginning on or after 1 October 2012', although the FRC strongly encourages early adoption of its recommendations.
Report on board effectiveness: Highlighting best practice, encouraging progress (ABI, PDF 916kb/52 pages)
In September 2011 the Association of British Insurers (ABI) published its report on board effectiveness as announced in the press release UK boardrooms given clear guidance on executive pay and effective performance. The report focuses on three key issues, with one being boardroom diversity, and aims to 'help companies to better understand the views of institutional investors on effective boardroom performance'. The report includes the results of analysis of FTSE 350 Annual Reports to examine what companies are doing to improve diversity in their boardrooms and across their whole organisations.
Gender diversity on boards (PDF 127kb/14 pages)
Consultation paper published by the FRC in May 2011 which invites views on whether the UK Corporate Governance Code should be revised in order to help achieve more diverse and effective boards.
Women on boards (Davies Report)
Independent review into female representation on UK corporate boards by Lord Davies of Abersoch, published in February 2011 by the BIS. The recommendations include that UK listed companies in the FTSE 100 should be aiming for a minimum of 25% female board member representation by 2015.
Women in the City
Report published in April 2010 by the Treasury Select Committee following an inquiry into the representation of women at senior levels within large financial institutions in the UK. You can also access responses to the report from the UK Government and the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.
Women matter
Since 2007, McKinsey have published a series of reports which explore how gender diversity and leadership styles typically adopted by women leaders impact on company performance and report on developments in female representation on corporate boards.
Diversity in the boardroom: A guide for business and board-ready candidates in the UK (PDF, 352KB/8 pages)
Short booklet published jointly by the Government Equalities Office (GEO) and the CBI in April 2010 highlighting some of the initiatives in the UK to improve boardroom diversity.
Building better boards
Document published in 2004 by the then Department of Trade and Industry with recommendations for improvements and information relevant to creating more diverse and effective boards.
Women at the Top (FT)
This project, initiated by the Financial Times, provides "coverage and debate about the role of women in business, their increasing participation in global economic growth and legacy of innovation in the emerging world." It includes articles, polls, interactive features and forums, as well as exclusive video interviews with the world’s top female business leaders.
Research and statistics
The Female FTSE Report
Annual benchmarking report published since 1999 by the Cranfield International Centre for Women Leaders, which is part of the Cranfield University School of Management. The report focuses on research and management development activities with regards to gender diversity at leadership level.
BoardWatch survey
This survey, published by the Professional Boards Forum, tracks progress of female directors appointed to UK corporate boards following the publication of the Davies Report in February 2011. Data is updated monthly. There is currently no archive available.
Women in the boardroom: A global perspective
This report by the Deloitte Global Centre for Corporate Governance, first published in January 2011 and last updated in November 2011, gives an overview of current initiatives around the world, both legal and regulatory, to increase the number of women serving on corporate boards.
Women on boards: Quick takes
Annual statistics on female board representation across the globe published by Catalyst.
Changing boardrooms: More action required
Press release issued by Deloitte UK on 13 October 2011 which provides data on female board representation in the UK from the firm’s latest 'Board structure and non-executive directors’ fees' report. The report is only available to participating companies.
Women on corporate boards: Lessons from the consumer sector (PDF 715kb/11 pages)
Survey carried out by the consumer sector recruitment firm Nigel Wright which is based on the opinions of 'over 100 senior executives from a range of consumer sector businesses in Europe on the issue of gender diversity on corporate boards'. The survey was carried out in June and July 2011.
2012 Women on Boards Survey
Research and statistics published annually since 2009 by global corporate governance and research firm GovernanceMetrics International. Includes trends on female board representation by country and industry sector.
Increasing diversity on public and private sector boards
Archived version of research published by the Government Equalities Office (GEO) in 2009 on diversity on boards of directors in the public and private sector. Examines why are there so few women and other under-represented groups on boards and what is being done to increase diversity.
Organisations and networks
Professional Boards Forum
Programme bringing together leading chairmen and outstanding women board candidates for board opportunities. The Forum publishes regularly updated figures from its BoardWatch survey which tracks progress of female directors appointed to UK corporate boards.
The Mentoring Foundation
The foundation develops and manages the FTSE 100 Cross-Company Mentoring Programme, a mentoring programme for senior women executives who are matched with senior business leaders to develop and fulfil their potential.
The 30% Club
A group of chairmen and organisations committed to bringing more women onto UK corporate boards. The initiative aims to have "at least 30% women on UK plc boards within five years".
Women for Boards
Scheme sponsored by MWM Consulting, BP and a number of senior business women aiming to increase the number of high-quality women on the boards of FTSE 250 and FTSE 350 companies through pairing potential candidates with mentors.
European Professional Women's Network
Includes a Women on Boards section with articles, reports and a biannual Board Women Monitor.
Online articles
The library provides access to a range of articles in full text from leading business, finance and management journals.
You will need to be logged-in to the website to gain full access to the range of articles available online.
Articles and books in the Library collection
To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to book loans.
You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports by post, fax or email through our document delivery service.
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