Independent review group Balance for Better Business has called for all organisations in Ireland to improve gender balance on their boards and leadership teams, striving for more than 40 per cent representation for women.
The initiative, which was set up by the Government to help improve gender balance in senior business leadership in Ireland, has previously focused on Iseq20 organisations, which achieved 40 per cent representation of women on boards in 2024.
But is now turning its attention to the progress of privately held companies, which represent a larger proportion of the economy overall. The Iseq20 accounts for about 120,000 of the 2.7 million people currently in the Irish labour market.
“Gender balance should be a strategic priority for every business. From influencing the buying decisions of customers to more effectively meeting talent needs, balanced businesses have consistently shown to be more competitive and better equipped with the capabilities to drive growth,” said Balance for Better Business co-chairwoman Carol Andrews.
“As the Iseq20 today represents a smaller proportion of Irish business than in recent years, going forward we will be putting more emphasis on supporting and spotlighting progress in privately held companies as they represent a larger proportion of the economy overall.”
The group said organisations should put a plan in place to address gender balance, with the pace of change remaining slow at leadership level.
The seventh annual report from the group showed there was still progress to be made. Among the Iseq20 firms, there are currently no female chief executives, after two women stepping down from their roles last year, and the proportion of women on the leadership teams has fallen from 27 per cent to 24 per cent.
One in five Iseq20 leadership teams are now all-male, a figure that was 16 per cent in 2023. However, the small size of the cohort means that any changes have an outsize impact on figures.
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Among the top sectors for women in management roles were accommodation and food services; administrative and support services; and financial, insurance and property.
Sectors such as construction; transportation and storage; and information and communication are also making progress.
“Over the past six years there has been consistent and positive progress in gender balance at board level among Ireland’s largest listed businesses,” said Balance for Better Business co-chairman Bernard Byrne. “This positive progress can provide a valuable foundation for more widespread and sustainable change across Irish business.”
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke welcomed the report.
“Realising a more balanced workforce and business leadership is crucial to enhancing the future competitiveness of Irish business,” he said.
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