Odgers Berndtson and BoardEx
surveyed over 600 UK non-executive directors (NEDs) and C-suite
members to find out which recruitment and retention initiatives
boosted leadership diversity.
- UK-wide study reveals how some of Britain's most diverse companies are
attracting underrepresented candidates to their Boards and
leadership teams.
- The study reveals diverse Boards are more likely to use three
specific I&D initiatives than non-diverse Boards.
- The study finds that UK business leaders view I&D as
something that should be led by HR rather than any other
function.
LONDON, May 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A study released by
Odgers Berndtson, a leading global
executive search firm, and BoardEx, a global executive intelligence
service, has revealed how companies with strong diversity on their
Boards and leadership teams have hired candidates from
underrepresented groups.
The UK Leadership Diversity Report follows an in-depth survey of
623 non-executive directors and C-suite members from companies
across the UK.
The major finding of the report is a clear distinction between
the actions taken by diverse companies and non-diverse companies
when it comes to recruiting Board and leadership team members.
Diverse companies are three times more likely (36%) than
non-diverse companies (10%) to partner with I&D membership
organisations and they are twice as likely (38%) to set targets for
diversity. In comparison, a mere 15% of non-diverse companies set
Board or C-suite level I&D targets.
Reducing unconscious bias in the recruitment process is another
hallmark of diverse organisations. Respondents working for an
organisation with strong diversity on their Board are twice as
likely (73%) to also be working for an organisation that has
measures in place to reduce bias in the recruitment of Board
members. Only 31% of non-diverse organisations had these measures
in place.
Kester Scrope, CEO of Odgers
Berndtson, said: "Achieving truly diverse Boards and
leadership teams is a strategic imperative all organisations need
to work towards. But it's a challenge that requires an exceptional
level of commitment and effort. This report provides clear insights
into the measures that can be implemented and the actions that can
be taken to help organisations make diversity at the top table a
reality."
In addition to implementing specific I&D measures, diverse
organisations also demonstrated a clear difference in mindset when
it came to approaching I&D.
Respondents from companies with no diversity on their Board were
nearly three times (30%) as likely to offer a job to a leadership
team candidate who was not able to demonstrate an understanding of
I&D. On the other hand, just 13% of respondents from diverse
companies would do the same, even if that candidate were an
otherwise perfect fit for the job.
The report also offers an insight into the priority of I&D
on the Board agenda, and into the role of the Chief Diversity
Officer.
Over a third (36%) of NEDs said the Boards they sit on discuss
I&D more than five times a year – a frequency that reflects the
growing importance of I&D in the Boardroom. However, over
two-thirds of NEDs and C-suite members do not believe that large
organisations require a dedicated Chief Diversity Officer. Of those
that believe the role is unnecessary, the majority (77% of NEDs and
86% of the C-suite) think that the responsibility for I&D
should rest with the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). It
strongly suggests that UK business leaders view I&D as
something that should be led by HR rather than any other
function.
Read the full report here.
About Odgers
Berndtson:
For over 50 years, Odgers
Berndtson has helped some of the world's biggest and best
organisations find the senior talent to drive their agendas. We
deliver executive search, assessment and development to businesses
and organisations varying in size, structure and maturity. We work
across 50 sectors, whether commercial, public or not-for-profit and
draw on the experience of partners and their teams in 30 countries.
www.odgersberndtson.com/en-co, @OdgersUKNews.
About BoardEx
BoardEx is the leading provider of executive intelligence
and relationship mapping solutions. Companies trust BoardEx to
identify, qualify and map connection paths to 2 million
organisations and the 1.5 million people who lead them. BoardEx is
a part of Euromoney People Intelligence, a division of Euromoney
PLC which provides organisations with unique data intelligence that
connects them with the individuals who will have the greatest
impact on their goals. Euromoney People Intelligence is
comprised of three unique brands: BoardEx, WealthEngine, and
Wealth-X. We empower our clients to build greater
relationships, obtain and manage their best talent and reduce
commercial risk.
Learn more at boardex.com. Email
press@BoardEx.com for inquiries.
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