In the month when we celebrate International Women’s Day it seems only right to talk about the importance of having more women in executive and management roles.
After all, IWD, which was first marked by the United Nations in 1975, is a clarion call to boost gender parity and includes a range of activities such as political rallies and conferences.
And this year’s theme is aimed at working towards a more gender-inclusive working world.
Of course, many high flyers who find exciting executive roles on s1jobs are females of the species, so why do we need to embark on this mission?
Well, according to a new report, the proportion of senior business roles held by women in the UK has actually fallen from 21% in 2016 to 19% in 2017.
The survey from Grant Thornton, one of the world’s largest network of independent accounting and consulting member firms, also points out the percentage of businesses in the UK with no women at all in senior management has risen from 36% in 2016 to 41% in 2017.
According to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), women occupy 73% of entry-level roles but just 43% are in middle management roles.
In its new report the CMI also said it believes gender-diverse management teams deliver an 18% return on investment premium and are 15% more likely to outperform competitors.
However, to achieve a 50/50 split of management jobs between men and women by 2024, the UK will need 1.5 million new female managers.
Thankfully, forward-thinking job sectors and individual organisations have already taken this on board.
The renewable energy sector, in particular, is proactive, with RenewableUK launching a new drive to bring female talent into UK wind industry – a sector that offers excellent opportunities to power into the boardroom.
Meanwhile Vodafone has launched a programme to recruit women who have taken a career break.
The move from the telecommunications giant comes amid research showing women face restricted opportunities for senior promotions and pay rises when re-entering the workforce.
Vodafone said it was committed to increasing the proportion of women in management and leadership roles, with up to 500 women on career breaks to be hired into such roles over the next three years.
So let’s hear it for the girls – and for those Executive and Management roles that offer gender equality at the highest level, available right here on s1jobs.