By Jonathan Davies
The number of ethnic minorities in executive positions in the FTSE 100 has dropped dramatically over the past year, according to a study by London executive recruiter Green Park.
There are now 70 all-white boards in FTSE 100 companies, up 11% from last year. And nearly 40 of the 480 minority executives have left the FTSE 100 in the past year.
The number of ethnic minority chief executives fell from six to four. Perhaps most notable was the departure of Prudential boss Tidjane Thiam, who left to take up the role at Credit Suisse.
Despite a growing importance of Asian economies, the report said there are no Chinese or Asian executive directors on the FTSE 100.
“We know that this group forms the single most successful educational demographic in the UK, and has done for quite some while,” said Raj Tulsiani, chief executive of Green Park Group.
“Big companies need to ask themselves, why are they not drawing on this group’s talent and insights to help provide a competitive edge in targeting important markets for growth?”
