French companies lead the way on gender diversity

France’s ambitious moves to increase gender diversity among its top companies is paying off as it leads the way over the number of women on boards at European corporates. The largest listed French companies have an average of 44 per cent of women on their boards, topping the inaugural European diversity index with the highest number on the continent. Nine groups listed on the Paris CAC 40 exchange have a majority of women or an equal number of females on their boards, according to research by European Women on Boards (EWOB) and data provider Ethics & Boards.

French luxury brand Kering and hospitality company Sodexo have a majority female board of directors and nine other groups have reached parity. This has helped Paris hit its target of a quota of 40 per cent of females on boards for companies listed on the CAC 40 by 2017. France has also proposed a requirement that companies narrow their gender pay gap or face fines.