White men to have ‘less seats on company boards in future’, top UK diversity chair claims
David Tyler, who chairs The Parker Review on boardroom diversity, has declared it will be “natural for white males to have fewer board seats” as Britain’s demographic makeup continues to evolve.
The businessman, who also leads PZ Cussons and Domestic & General, brushed aside grievances from white, middle-aged men who blame diversity initiatives for missing out on positions.
“People need a reason for not being hired,” Mr Tyler told the Financial Times, suggesting such complaints were merely excuses.
He emphasised that despite shifting trends, white men continue to dominate corporate boardrooms across the country.
The latest Parker Review findings reveal that ethnic minority executives now occupy a record one-fifth of FTSE 100 board seats, a significant jump from just 12 per cent six years ago.
FTSE 250 companies have also seen progress, with 16 per cent of board positions held by individuals from minority backgrounds.
Last year marked a milestone with 14 chief executives from ethnic minority backgrounds leading Britain’s biggest listed firms, the highest figure ever recorded.
Barclays, Shell, Unilever, HSBC and Prudential were among the major corporations with minority leaders at the helm.
White males continue to dominate despite shifting trends
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The review also counted eight chairs and nine finance directors from ethnic minority groups.
Mr Tyler explained that the gradual reduction in white male representation on boards should come as no surprise, arguing it simply mirrors broader societal transformation.
“It will gradually happen along with the gradual change in society,” he stated.
He pointed to demographic data showing approximately one in six people in the UK come from ethnic minority backgrounds, a proportion expected to rise further.
The review noted that ethnic minority representation in senior management currently stands at 11 per cent
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The former Sainsbury’s and Hammerson chairman also highlighted that female workforce participation has reached unprecedented levels, while growing numbers of ethnic minority professionals are advancing into senior roles across British business.
Despite his advocacy for greater diversity, Tyler expressed firm opposition to mandatory quotas as a mechanism for change.
“It is hard to persuade yourself you’re not just there because of a quota,” he remarked, adding that candidates themselves reject such measures.
The review noted that ethnic minority representation in senior management currently stands at 11 per cent for FTSE 100 firms, with targets set to reach 15 per cent by 2027.
Mr Tyler called for additional efforts to dismantle obstacles facing those from diverse backgrounds, particularly within the Black community, where advancement has stalled compared to other minority groups.
