Womens Leadership Research Institute

The Reibey Institute is a fully independent, not-for-profit research centre which provides non-judgemental insight and exploration of women’s leadership issues.

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100 Women Leaders

A national study aiming to identify the pathways and key success factors for women leaders in corporate Australia

During 2013, the Reibey Institute interviewed 100 of Australia’s leading corporate women. Following our ASX500 board and company performance series in previous years, the Institute decided it was time to hear from women leaders who are poised in the coming years to take Chief Executive, Director and Chairperson roles, in an effort to identify the pathways and key success factors for women leaders in corporate Australia. Throughout 2014, we are sharing the 8 major themes that emerged across those 100 interviews and powerful insights and quotes from those women to support our findings. We thank, Daniel Knoll, Partner KPMG, Johnathan Russell at Consult Australia and Cindy Carpenter for their support in the project.
“We need solid minds doing this they are good at.  I would rather a super competent person flexibly or part-time than a missing out on that person for second best. If your goal is to have the best person be willing to look at different things to get that person.” Suzana Ritevski, Chief Marketing Officer, GE Australia and New Zealand

Navigate Barriers

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Advice to Self

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The power of networks and sponsors

Coming soon

Build Confidence

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Measure it

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Expectations and Aspirations

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Growing Up

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Leverage Technology

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ASX500 Women Leaders – 2011 Edition

In 2011 we again researched the performance of the 500 largest listed companies in Australia. What we found at the time is now widely recognised as evidence that supports the links between diversity and financial performance.

Shareholder Value

  • 1 or more Women Directors – 3 Year ROE 6.7%
  • All Companies – 3 Year ROE 3%
  • No Women Directors – 3 Year ROE 0%
  • 1 or more Women Directors – 5 Year ROE 9.2%
  • No Women Directors – 5 Year ROE 0.5%
  • All Companies – 5 Year ROE 4.5%

Insights

  • Women hold 9.5% of director positions, up from 7.1% last year
  • Companies with women on the board delivered 6.7% and 9.2%, 3 and 5 Yr Return on Equity versus -0.1% and 0.5% for companies with all male boards.
  • 307 women directors and 10 women chairpersons
  • 233 companies with women directors on boards, leaving 267 with no board gender diversity
  • 235 unique women holding 307 roles.
  • 20% of women serve on multiple boards versus 12% of men
  • Average age of women on ASX500 in 52
  • More than 1/3 studied commerce or economics

ASX500 Women Leaders – 2010 Edition

In 2010 the Reibey Institute delivered Australia’s first diversity study into the ASX500, including Australia’s first insights into the impact of gender diversity on shareholder returns.

  • 1 or more Women Directors – 3 Year ROE 11.6%
  • No Women Directors – 3 Year ROE 0.9%
  • All Companies – 3 Year ROE 4.7%
  • 1 or more Women Directors – 5 Year ROE 13.1%
  • No Women Directors – 5 Year ROE 2.0%
  • All Companies – 5 year ROE 6.0%
  • Women hold 7.1% of all ASX500 director roles
  • Companies with women on the board delivered 11.6% and 13.1%, 3 and 5 Yr Return on Equity versus 0.9% and 2.0% for companies with all male boards.
  • 39 women serving on more than one board
  • 225 directors, 10 chairpersons, 13 CEO and 45 CFO roles held by women
  • average age of female directors was 50.2

Blog

Executive decisions

by | Mar 7, 2010 | News

For women, it’s harder than ever to rise to the top of corporate Australia – but things may be about to change. The statistics are appalling.

In boardrooms and executive suites across Australia, there are almost no women in the top ranks of our biggest companies. And it seems to be a peculiarly Australian problem; our overseas counterparts, including the US, the UK, South Africa and New Zealand, are doing much better.

The Big Chair – Read More

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