March 2022
Executive commitee 2021 HRD feminization Index
Today, the increased company data transparency makes it possible to precisely follow the profiles of the members of their executive committee (EXCOM). To continue our EXCOM barometers (see our previous barometers on our website), we just launched a new barometer on the feminization of HRDs in large French companies and subsidiaries of foreign groups established in France.
This new barometer highlights several key findings:
- To start, the proportion of women promoted to HRD in EXCOM has increased from 60% in 2018 to 70% in 2021. This increase is due CEOs strong desire to feminize their EXCOM, the HRD being perceived as one of the easiest to feminize.
- Next, the average age of HRDs appointed over the period has decreased from 49 to 46, with women generally being younger than men (46 versus 48), with a significant difference depending on corporate governance. The average age is indeed 46 for HRDs appointed to private equity or family businesses, while it is 50 for cooperatives, SBF120 companies and state-owned companies.
- Finally, 65% of appointments are recruited externally, although this trend has been falling over the period (from 78 in 2018) with a significant difference depending on the type of corporate governance. Indeed, private equity & SBF120 companies as well as cooperatives mostly recruit their HRDs externally (respectively 88%, 77% and 69%), while state-owned companies mainly recruit internally (48% in external).
In terms of parity, women HRDs play a key role in promoting women with potential in management teams. See you next year in our next barometer to follow women expected progress in French companies’ executive committees!
This new barometer highlights several key findings:
- To start, the proportion of women promoted to HRD in EXCOM has increased from 60% in 2018 to 70% in 2021. This increase is due CEOs strong desire to feminize their EXCOM, the HRD being perceived as one of the easiest to feminize.
- Next, the average age of HRDs appointed over the period has decreased from 49 to 46, with women generally being younger than men (46 versus 48), with a significant difference depending on corporate governance. The average age is indeed 46 for HRDs appointed to private equity or family businesses, while it is 50 for cooperatives, SBF120 companies and state-owned companies.
- Finally, 65% of appointments are recruited externally, although this trend has been falling over the period (from 78 in 2018) with a significant difference depending on the type of corporate governance. Indeed, private equity & SBF120 companies as well as cooperatives mostly recruit their HRDs externally (respectively 88%, 77% and 69%), while state-owned companies mainly recruit internally (48% in external).
In terms of parity, women HRDs play a key role in promoting women with potential in management teams. See you next year in our next barometer to follow women expected progress in French companies’ executive committees!
