Insurance giant
Aviva has become the first FTSE 100 company to commit to ensuring women make up at least 30% of its executive committee.
The global firm has signalled its support for gender diversity by signing up to a new target set by The 30 Per Cent Club, a campaigning group dedicated to increasing female representation in the in the highest echelons of British business. Its original aim was to reach 30% representation on FTSE 100 company boards, and with that figure having reached 26% the group, made up of company chairs and CEOs, has now it has turned its attention to executive committee level.
With four women among its 11-strong senior exec team, Aviva already surpasses the target and group CEO Mark Wilson has pledged to ensure that situation doesn’t change. He said: “If we are to sharpen our competitive edge, innovate and create the products our diverse range of customers want, then we must attract and keep a diverse range of talented people and make sure our workforce better reflects the society it serves. So it’s just good business sense to have strong capable women leaders throughout Aviva, not least on the group executive, where we have already hit the 30% goal.”
Brenda Trenowden, global chair of the 30 Per Cent Club, said: “Aviva is a long standing and active member of our investor group which focuses on tackling gender balance through constructive engagement with corporate boards. Mark’s commitment to his own executive target is a clear sign that insightful leadership can help build the pipeline and make a real difference to gender balance within an organisation.”
Aviva plc chairman, Sir Adrian Montague, has recently joined the 30 Per Cent Club, underlining his own aspiration to reach the 30% goal at board level.
