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News Release from: UK Resource Centre for Women in SET
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 20 November 2007
Report targets male-dominated SET
boardrooms
The UKRC report, written by Dr Val Singh from Cranfield, gives explicit guidance on transforming boardroom culture, outlining advice for developing female talent within SET.
A report by the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (UKRC) includes a series of recommendations designed to address the under-representation of women in science, engineering and technology (SET) boardrooms throughout the UK Currently SET boardrooms are lagging behind other FTSE 100 companies with the level of male directors at 92%, compared to 87.5% in non-SET firms
The guidelines have been issued in conjunction with Cranfield School of Management's annual Female FTSE report which details the number of women on FTSE 100 boards and executive committees and analyses the number of female-held directorships.
The UKRC report, written by Dr Val Singh from Cranfield, gives explicit guidance on transforming boardroom culture, outlining advice for developing female talent within SET.
It highlights specific practices that organisations should undertake to develop a more inclusive and therefore effective, boardroom culture.
It emerged from 59 interviews conducted with company directors and senior staff and a survey of a further 219 women in senior positions , that the lack of females in the executive boardroom creates a perception of exclusion and makes women feel that they are unlikely to be able to build successful careers in the organisation.
The UKRC's recommendations to SET employers for a more inclusive and effective boardroom culture include chairing of board meetings with courtesy, consideration and control so that everyone can make their contribution.
It also suggests paying attention to the way that new members are treated in the boardroom and ensuring that directors are appropriately developed for the boardroom and that there are opportunities for board interactions with women as well as men.
A key finding of the research was that leadership is instrumental in transforming the culture of SET boardrooms.
The UKRC is encouraging companies to follow in the footsteps of Akins Global and BT Openreach and sign up to its CEO Charter.
The Charter is a commitment to actively support the increasing participation of women in SET at all levels and promote best practice in gender equality and diversity.
Annette Williams, Director of the UKRC, says: "As the report clearly states there are too few women on SET boards".
"This report identifies practical steps which companies can take, to start to change the culture and make up of SET boardrooms now and in the future".
"Firm commitment is needed from the top of British Industry to ensure that women are able to progress to their full potential in science, engineering and technology and that their talent is not wasted".
Sir John Parker, Chair of National Grid who participated in the project said: "This is a very thoughtful and timely piece of research from Cranfield and Dr Singh, commissioned by the UKRC".
"It provides an important reminder about our behaviour and style as a Chair and as a Board in setting the drumbeat for the organisation and what we expect of it".
"I recommend it to both experienced and new directors alike".
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