'Defining moment' | Major UK firms hit boardroom gender balance target three years early, but some warn it's 'not enough'

Some of the UK's largest firms are making fast progress in boosting women’s representation on top company boards, with new data revealing that 40.2% of FTSE 350 Board positions are now held by women.

The findings come as part of the latest report by the Government-backed FTSE Women Leaders Review, sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group and KPMG, which was launched in Canary Wharf.

The report tracks the progress being made in breaking down barriers to progression of talented women into directorships and senior executive roles across business. The findings demonstrate steady progress in getting women leaders to the top table of business in the UK, with women’s board representation increasing by nearly 3% in 2022 across the FTSE 350 (40.2%).

FTSE 350 Leadership positions below the board for women are now at 33.5% and at 34.3% for the 50 of the UK’s largest private companies, published for the first time this year. Women now hold a third of all leadership roles in FTSE 350 Companies too, a huge milestone that shows the continuing progress that is ongoing throughout businesses. The next critical goal for business is to achieve a target of 40% women in FTSE 350 Leadership teams before 2025 - which UK business is on-track to meet.