The Female FTSE Report 2003: women pass a milestone: 101 directorships on the FTSE 100 boards

Abstract

The number of female directorships has passed the 100 milestone, up by 20% on last year. But progress is being made mostly in companies who already had women directors. A third of women directors have titles (Baroness, Dame, Prof, Dr) compared to only a fifth of male directors. Are women still having to prove themselves with a title, whilst men are appointed on promise? A number of women have now been awarded the CBE in their businiess roles. 77 women have one seat on a FTSE board, nine women have two seats, and Baroness Hogg and Alison Carnwath have three each. The average age of women directors is 53, with 4 years tenure. Of the 17 executive women, seven are finance directors.