Women lose ground in Australian executive leadership roles

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 13 Oct, 14:32 · Archive

Women's representation in executive roles at Australia's largest listed companies declined for the first time in a decade, according to Chief Executive Women's 2026 census. Women's share of ASX200 executive leadership team roles fell from 32 to 31 per cent over the past year. The number of ASX300 companies with all-male executive teams rose from 17 to 25, with 13 of those based in Perth, including Austal, Monadelphous and Capricorn Metals.

Women's share of key stepping stone roles to the chief executive position, such as chief financial officer and chief operating officer, fell by two percentage points to 18 per cent. Women received just 13 per cent of ASX300 chief executive appointments this year, down from one in four in the previous year. Women currently hold 11 per cent of all ASX300 chief executive roles, with 31 companies led by women.

One in three senior female leaders say there is growing pushback against gender equity in their workplaces, even where formal commitments remain in place. Chief Executive Women chief executive Lisa Annese linked the downturn to broader workplace culture shifts. 'In a global climate of open pushback against gender equity, a fall in women's representation in Australia's largest companies shows that progress here is under the same pressure,' she said. CEW president Helen Conway called on boards and executive teams to act, warning that 'hard-won gains can no longer be taken for granted'.

How it is being reported

• Women lose ground in ASX executive teams as new CEW report warns of growing backlash to gender equityA fresh call has gone out for companies to adopt gender targets as progress for women in leadership slips backwards.The West Australian · 13 Oct, 14:02
• Women lose ground in ASX executive teams as new CEW report warns of growing backlash to gender equityA fresh call has gone out for companies to adopt gender targets as progress for women in leadership slips backwards.Perth Now · 13 Oct, 14:02
• Senior women leaders report growing backlash to gender equity, Chief Executive Women annual census showsThere is growing opposition to gender equity in workplaces, according to damning new figures that also reveal progress for women in executive leadership has gone backwards.The West Australian · 13 Oct, 14:01

In this story: Chief Executive Women · ASX · Lisa Annese · Helen Conway · Australia · Perth

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