Female representation in utilities growing

Representation of women in senior positions at listed utility companies improved in 2020, with 36 per cent of board seats held by females compared to 26 per cent in 2019.

That is according to the annual Hampton-Alexander Review, which ranks the number of women in leadership positions at FTSE companies. It assesses the number of females who sit on boards or hold executive committee and direct reports positions.

The review set a target of 33 per cent representation of women on boards and in executive, committee and direct reports roles by the end of 2020 – a goal that was met by Severn Trent, National Grid and United Utilities.

Severn Trent came second on the list with 39 per cent of its senior team made up of women, while its board surpassed the target for women on boards with 56 per cent. It is one of only four FTSE350 companies to have both a female chair and chief executive.

Pennon Group, parent of South West and Bournemouth, ranked 23rd. The number of women in executive committee and direct reports roles was below target at 31 per cent, while the make up of its board (43 per cent female) scored highly.

National Grid was in 41st place with 34 per cent of its senior team and 38 per cent of its board female.

SSE, with 36 per cent of its board female but only 23 per cent female representation among its senior team, ranked 52nd.

Also within the FTSE100, United Utilities ranked 77th for gender balance with 34 per cent female executives but just three women on its board of 10.

Outside of the FTSE100, Centrica has 44 per cent female board but fewer women in its executive team. It ranked 30th on the FTSE250.

Behind it was Drax Group, which has two women on its board of seven and missed the target for female representation in senior leadership positions with 32 per cent.

“We’re in a traditionally male-dominated industry but, for me, it’s always been about appointing the best people to the right roles and, by doing that, we’ve managed to both build a top performing team and to improve our gender diversity,” said Severn Trent chief executive, Liv Garfield.

“It really shouldn’t be unusual for a FTSE company to have a female CEO or a female chair, so it’s clear there’s plenty more work to be done but Hampton-Alexander’s done a fantastic job in shining a light on gender diversity over the years.”

The annually published review showed more than a third (34 per cent) of FTSE 350 board positions are now held by women, with the number of women on boards increasing by 50 per cent over the past five years.

Legal reporting of gender pay gap figures was suspended by the government for 2019/20 a week before its deadline due to the pandemic. Reporting was completed by 79 of the 141 utility businesses required to do so by size.