The number of women being appointed to ASX 200 boards continues to grow, with the proportion of female directors of Australia's top listed companies now close to 10 per cent, the latest figures released by the Australian Institute of Company Directors show.
So far in 2010, 31 women have been appointed to ASX 200 boards, compared to only ten for the whole of last year. Encouragingly, 27 per cent of all ASX 200 board appointees this year have been female, compared to just 5 per cent in 2009 and 8 per cent in 2007 and 2008.
These appointments have seen the percentage of women on ASX 200 boards increase to 9.8 per cent, up significantly from 8.3 per cent at the beginning of this year.
The figures, which are updated daily, have been collated by the Australian Institute of Company Directors based on analysis of Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) data.
The composition of the ASX 200 used reflects the S&P ASX 200 index published by Standard & Poors as at 30 April 2010.
This is the same index used in compiling the figures produced by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA), whose latest census for 2008 showed the proportion of women on ASX 200 boards at 8.3 per cent.
Since the Australian Institute of Company Directors last released figures on 25 June, the following seven women have been appointed to ASX 200 boards.
1 |
Map Group |
Kerrie Mather |
MD/CEO |
1/07/2010 |
2 |
Wesfarmers Limited |
Vanessa Wallace |
Non Executive Director |
6/07/2010 |
3 |
Sundance Resources Limited |
Fiona Harris |
Non Executive Director |
12/07/2010 |
4 |
Telstra Corporation Limited |
Nora Scheinkestel |
Non Executive Director |
27/07/2010 |
5 |
Cochlear Limited |
Yasmin Allen |
Non Executive Director |
2/08/2010 |
6 |
Alesco Corporation Limited |
Jennifer Tait |
Non Executive Director |
3/08/2010 |
7 |
SP AusNet |
Tina McMeckan |
Non Executive Director |
9/08/2010 |
"As far as we are aware, the 9.8 per cent figure recorded this week for the proportion of women on ASX 200 boards is the highest the percentage has ever been in Australia" said the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, John Colvin.
"We have already seen this year more than three times the number of women appointed than for the whole of the 2009 calendar year."
"This, and the fact that 27 per cent of board appointments this year have been women, shows that real progress is being made on this important issue."
"However, despite this welcome increase, we still have a long way to go."
"As we have consistently said, the proportion of women on listed company boards in Australia is not good enough and needs to be increased."
The Australian Institute Company Directors has announced a range of initiatives to address the issue of board diversity, including the ASX 200 Chairmen's Mentoring Program and a new scholarship program being funded jointly with the Federal Government.
The mentoring program, the largest of its kind in the world,involves 56 chairmen and senior directors of major companies who are working with 63 women in a twelve month mentoring relationship.
Mr. Colvin said there are already a large number of "board ready" women who are suitable for ASX 200 boards, in addition to those who are participating in the Mentoring Program.
"And, our recently announced scholarship program is aimed at assisting the continued building of the already existing pipeline of female director talent in Australia by providing 70 scholarships to women to do our Company Directors Course or Mastering the Boardroom course," Mr. Colvin said.
Media Contacts:
Steve Burrell, General Manager Communications and Public Affairs, (02) 8248 6627 or 0407 708 485
The Australian Institute of Company Directors provides education, information and advocacy for company directors Australia wide, with offices in each state to cater for 26,600 members. Our members work in diverse corporations such as small-to-medium enterprises, the ASX200 corporations, public sector organisations, not-for-profit companies, large private companies and smaller private family concerns.