Executive Directors will be the focus of the next phase of the review into increasing female representation on FTSE boards.

The “Women on Boards Review” launched by Lord Davies in 2011 came to an end in 2015, with his end of year summary published in October 2015.

The Review set a target for women’s representation on FTSE 100 boards of 25% by 2015. By October 2015, women represented 26.1% (up from 12.5% in 2011) of FTSE 100 boards, a significant accomplishment, given that this has been achieved through voluntary means. However, the summary found that most of the new recruits were non-executive directors rather than executive directors with real decision making power and authority.

The next stage of the Review will focus on building the pipeline for female executive directors, Senior Independent Directors and Chairs. It is being chaired by Sir Philip Hampton, Chair of GlaxoSmithKline, and Dame Helen Alexander, Chair of UBM will be deputy chair.

The Review will also monitor progress over the next five years on increasing the target for female board members in FTSE 350 companies to a minimum of 33% and improving the representation of women on executive committees and in senior leadership positions.