FTSE report to help grow gender balanced representation in Chair roles
Published: 26 June 2026
The FTSE Women Leaders Review, in collaboration with Professor Irene-marie Esser, have launched a ground-breaking new report on how to grow gender balanced representation in Chair roles.
The FTSE Women Leaders Review, in collaboration with Professor Irene-marié Esser of the University of Glasgow, have launched a ground-breaking new report on the ‘Future of FTSE 350 Chairs: Pipelines and Pathways to the Chair Role’.
This unique research sets out the myths as well as the realities of the Chair role, drawing on both quantitative and qualitative data and insights from Chairs of the FTSE 350 companies, together with key stakeholders - exploring practical steps to grow gender balanced representation in Chair roles, from the current level of just 17% women today.
This report encourages a cultural and governance shift towards broader talent identification, stronger succession planning, and greater confidence in using principles-based governance to build the next generation of board leaders.
It calls on boards, investors, executive search firms, and business leaders to broaden traditional definitions of leadership potential, strengthen succession planning, expand opportunities for women to gain executive and P&L experience, and make more effective use of the flexibility already available within the UK’s corporate governance framework.
Professor Irene-marié Esser is Sir Alexander Stone Chair in Commercial Law, based at the School of Law. She said: "I was delighted to collaborate with the FTSE WLR on this important topic and to have the opportunity to engage with FTSE male and female chairs to get their personal insights. This report seeks to encourage a shift from box-ticking compliance towards thoughtful, judgement-based governance and broadening the talent pool.
"The objective is to create a more diverse, sustainable, and effective pipeline of future Chairs, thereby improving board effectiveness, governance, and long-term value creation."
First published: 26 June 2026