Poor opportunities at middle-management level blamed

The number of female senior managers working in major UK businesses has fallen by more than 40 per cent in the last five years, according to a new survey. 

In 2002, 38 per cent of senior manager level posts in the FTSE 350 were occupied by women, but this has now sunk to 22 per cent. 

The report by consulting firm Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) found that although at the most senior level the number of FTSE 350 female chairmen or chief executives had grown, progress was still “painfully slow” and the number could still be counted on one hand. 

Sarah Churchman, head of diversity at PwC, warned that it was at the middle management stage where women aren’t being offered the opportunities. “At the top, things are moving slowly in the right direction but our middle management data paints a very different picture,” she said. “Businesses tend to pay more attention to gender issues in senior positions and there appears to be an assumption that a supply from the middle ranks will eventually feed through. For big companies at least, this pipeline is shrinking at a worrying rate.”   

The report also blames the rising costs of child-care and an increase in women setting up their own businesses. “It makes business sense to ensure talented people have opportunities to continue their careers as their circumstances and needs change throughout their working lives,” Churchman added.

The report was based on data from more than 10,000 UK management roles.