Gender diversity on ASX200 boards hit all time high

The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) September-December 2018 Progress Report announced that as at December 31, 2018 women accounted for 29.7% of all ASX200 board positions. This marked an increase of over 10 percentage points since 2015 when the AICD called for ASX200 companies to achieve 30% women on boards by the end of 2018.

By May 2018 the ASX20, 50 and 100 had reached the 30% target.

Introducing the report, AICD Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Angus Armour said that Australia is the first country in the world to achieve 30% gender diversity in top 100 boardrooms without regulatory intervention or quotas.

“We were buoyed by the enthusiastic response we received from the director community who embraced the voluntary target, understanding the benefits diversity brings to good governance and as such, pursued better gender balance for their boards,” he said.

“At the start of the target period, the number of ASX200 boards with 30% female representation was 40. This figure has more than doubled to 96, and those with no women has decreased from 26 to only four.

“Of course 30% remains the floor and not the ceiling for gender diversity. We intend to continue advocating for gender parity on Australian boards.”

There were four companies on ASX200 board with no women on their boards*

• AMP Limited
• ARB Corporation Limited
• Emeco Holdings Limited
• TPG Telecom Limited

* As at 31 December 2018

Download the report