Not watered down…
The FTSE 100 is an index of the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange based on their market capitalization. The acronym “FTSE” stands for “Financial Times Stock Exchange”. This is because the index was originally a joint venture between the Financial Times and yes, you guessed it, the London Stock Exchange.
The FTSE 100 is a widely used benchmark for the performance of the UK stock market and is used by investors and analysts to track the overall health of the UK economy. The companies listed on the FTSE 100 are diverse and come from a range of industries, including finance, energy, consumer goods, and healthcare. Some of the most well-known companies listed on the FTSE 100 include BP, HSBC, Unilever, and Tesco.
One company in the FTSE 100 though has just done something rather unusual.
Severn Trent is a water company supplying nearly 5 million households in the UK and will make history by becoming the first company in the FTSE 100 to appoint an all-woman top leadership team. Helen Miles will step up to become finance chief in July, working alongside chief executive Liv Garfield and chairwoman Christine Hodgson. This represents a significant step forward in achieving gender equality in top positions.
Whilst gender equality in most companies in the FTSE 100 remains biased towards men, the water industry is leading the way in terms of gender equality. The water industry is the best sector in the FTSE 100 in terms of woman getting to the top.
Denise Wilson, chief executive of the FTSE Women Leaders Group, was quoted as saying “This is testament to the sea change under way at the top of British business as companies embrace the huge benefits of diversity on boards and leadership teams.”
The fact that the water industry has the highest percentage of female executives in top positions is proof of the industry’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. This shows that when companies prioritize gender equality, they can achieve meaningful results and benefit from the diverse perspectives and experiences that women bring to the table.
The benefits of diversity on boards and leadership teams cannot be overstated. Companies with diverse teams are arguably more innovative, more resilient, and better able to adapt to changing circumstances. By embracing diversity and striving for gender parity, companies can unlock their full potential and create a more equitable and inclusive workplace.
In conclusion, the appointment of an all-woman leadership team at Severn Trent is a significant step forward in achieving gender equality in top positions. The water industry’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is also commendable, and it shows that when companies prioritize gender equality, they can achieve meaningful results.
