Page 5 - 2018 Powerlist

The search is on

for more female

Powerlistees

This year we are proud to announce that the Powerlist has the
largest number of women since its inception, both in the top 10 and
on the overall list, including the number-one slot.
Around the time of the launch of last year’s publication there were
three related reviews looking at the position of BME people on
boards/at work. Hot off the press in 2017 is the Government’s first
Race Disparity Audit.
The Parker Review focused on the FTSE 100 boards. Of the total
1,087 director positions, UK citizen directors of colour represent only
about 1.5% (14% BME in the UK population). A total of 53 of the 100
companies did not have any directors of colour.
The Policy Exchange report “Bittersweet Success? Glass ceilings for
Britain’s ethnic minorities at the top of business and the professions”
reported that minorities are increasingly getting into prestigious
jobs, but not always going as far or as fast as their white peers due to
closed insular cultures; the hidden biases in the hiring and promotion
exercises; lack of pipeline of minority talent and a reluctance of
minorities to put themselves forward for promotion.
The McGregor-Smith report found that there are not enough BME
role models in the workplace, particularly in the upper ranks. The
potential benefit to the UK economy from full representation of BME
individuals across the labour market through improved participation
and progression is estimated to be £24billion a year, or 1.3% of GDP!
The Race Disparity Audit report shows a complex picture. Suffice to
say that there is still a long way to go, as its foreword acknowledges.

The Powerlist plays an invaluable role. All members past and
present are role models. But we need to find many more in all
fields, particularly women. To this end, while saluting the work you
do, we invite you to use your influence to encourage and support
colleagues and friends to enable them to be future members of the
Powerlist.
Dame Linda Dobbs
Chair, Powerlist Judging Panel