The Australian Institute of Company Director’s (AICD) latest gender diversity report has revealed that the number of women on ASX 200 boards has been increasing about 2 percentage points per year since reaching the 30 per cent target in 2019.
The proportion of women reached 34.2 per cent at the end of November 2021, representing significant progress since 2019. By the end of 2020, the figure was 32.4 per cent.
Proportion of women directorships in the ASX
Group |
31 Jan 20 |
30 Apr 20 |
31 Jul 20 |
31 Oct 20 |
28 Feb 21 |
31 May 21 |
31 Aug 21 |
30 Nov 21 |
ASX 20 |
36.1% |
35.5% |
35.1% |
36.2% |
35.0% |
35.7% |
36.5% |
36.3% |
ASX 50 |
33.3% |
33.6% |
33.5% |
33.9% |
34.5% |
35.5% |
35.2% |
35.5% |
ASX 100 |
31.8% |
31.8% |
32.5% |
33.5% |
34.1% |
35% |
35.0% |
34.1% |
ASX 200 |
30.7% |
30.7% |
31.3% |
32.1% |
32.9% |
33.6% |
33.7% |
34.2% |
ASX 300 |
28.2% |
28.4% |
29.3% |
29.6% |
30.8% |
31.6% |
32.1% |
32.6% |
ASX 201-300 |
21.8% |
22.2% |
24.0% |
24.6% |
26.9% |
27.3% |
28.1% |
28.8% |
Earlier this year, the AICD announced that there were no all-male boards at Australia’s top 200 companies, and this is still the case.
Meanwhile, the ASX 300 has reached 32.6 per cent women on boards but still has eight all-male boards.
The appointment rate of women across the All Ordinaries, has held steady in 2021 at nearly 50 per cent, while the appointment rate of ASX 200 companies has hovered closer to 42 per cent.
AICD CEO and Managing Director, Angus Armour said, “We welcome the continued commitment to diversity by companies across the listed sector at a challenging time when there was a risk of diversity being deprioritised.
“However, there is now no doubt that corporate Australia values gender diversity in boardrooms and is making it a priority.”
The AICD’s latest Director Sentiment Index, released last week, revealed that directors are not yet satisfied at the diversity of Australian boards, with half (51 per cent) of respondents seeking a greater balance of gender, specifically.
30% Club Australia Chair, Nicola Wakefield Evans, said, “We are really encouraged at the continued improvement across listed companies. Regardless of size, every organisation is facing a range of challenges that would benefit from a combination of skills and perspectives around the board table.
“Ensuring that women are adequately represented means that companies are having those conversations, and thinking about how diversity can support them in responding to those challenges”.
The AICD encourages all organisations to embrace a 40:40:20 model of board gender diversity, where boards have at least 40 per cent women directors and 40 per cent men directors, as good practice.
Media contact: Maegen Sykes 0439 167 567
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