Abstract:
Research suggests that more diversity in board membership could improve overall
performance. This paper considers the business case for increased numbers of
female directors, and the lack of female representation on UK FTSE 100 company
boards in 1999 and 2000. It also offers a comparison to US data. In 1999, almost
two-thirds of FTSE 100 companies had at least one female director, but numbers
had dropped by July 2000 from 64% to 58%, paralleling the levelling-off at top
level reported in North America. More firms having female directors are to be
found amongst those with the highest turnover, profit and number of employees in
the FTSE 100, again paralleling the findings from the US.
