Gender diversity on ASX 200 boards holds steady

The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) has today revealed that the ASX 200 has maintained 30.7 per cent women on boards, as at the end of April. AICD CEO and Managing Director, Angus Armour, said, “While it’s encouraging to see that the figure has held steady against the backdrop of COVID-19, there has been no progress since January.

“Critically, female directors only represent 34 per cent of new appointments to the ASX 200 this year”, Mr Armour said.

“As we move from a period of turbulence into one of recovery and rebuilding, companies should reflect on the skills required to drive innovation and growth. Board diversity is an important consideration in this discussion.”

30% Club Australia Chair, Nicola Wakefield Evans said, “While global efforts to pursue gender equality may have stalled as governments and the corporate sector focus on immediate responses to the crisis, it is vital that companies now re-engage in conversations about gender equality and maintain the momentum.

“The statistics also reveal that less than half of the ASX 200 have met the minimum target of 30 per cent female directors. It is time for these companies to actively consider focussing on the diversity of their boards.”

There were four companies on ASX 200 boards with no women on their boards as at 30 April 2020.

• TPG Telecom Limited
• Pro Medicus Limited
• Silver Lake Resources Limited
• New Hope Corporation Limited

Media Contact: Maegen Sykes 0439 167 567