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AIM Firms Lag on Board Diversity: 23 Years to Target
23 Feb
Summary
- Over a third of AIM-listed firms lack any female board members.
- Progress is so slow, reaching diversity targets will take 23 years.
- 72% of AIM boards have no women in key executive roles.
More than a third of companies listed on London's junior AIM market have failed to appoint any women to their boards, a recent report indicates. This lack of progress is described as 'staggering' by governance campaigners.
At the current rate of change, often characterized as a 'snail's pace,' it is projected that it will take until 2049 for AIM-listed firms to achieve the 40% female representation target. Other public companies have already met this benchmark.
Furthermore, the report highlights that gender diversity has regressed on some measures. The proportion of AIM firms with at least two female directors has decreased. Almost three-quarters of AIM boards currently lack women in crucial executive positions, such as chief executive.
