Laing O’Rourke tops the sector for women in leadership

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March 14, 2023

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Laing O’Rourke tops the construction sector in the FTSE Women Leaders Review, reporting that more than 50% of its Board is female with 43% of UK leadership roles occupied by women.

Laing O’Rourke tops the construction sector in the recently published FTSE Women Leaders Review, reporting that more than 50% of its Board is female (vs 41% FTSE 350 and top 50 private companies sector average) with 43% of UK leadership roles* occupied by women (vs 31% FTSE 350 and top 50 private companies sector average).

The annual FTSE 350 report on women in leadership was expanded to invite the UK’s top 50 private companies to submit their data for the first time. Laing O’Rourke voluntarily provided information on gender representation within its leadership, and the Review ranked the company at the top of its sector, sixth out of all the UK’s private firms for women in leadership and third overall for women on the board.

In the inaugural analysis of the UK’s top 50 private companies, the Review shows that women’s representation in leadership* is at 34.3%, similar to FTSE350 companies.

“I am delighted by the outcome of the Review which I see as a validation of our progressive approach to creating an inclusive culture – one that attracts, develops and retains women,” says Laing O’Rourke Head of People Rae Avatar Barnett.

“Today’s female leaders will inspire tomorrow’s top talent and attract young women into our, still, male dominated industry. Having a cadre of female role models is critical to our ambition of achieving equal numbers of men and women throughout our global staff population by 2033. We know that’s a stretching target and it’s one that will require us to build an environment in which women can thrive by challenging culture when necessary, and by introducing supportive policies,” says Laing O’Rourke Head of People Rae Avatar Barnett.

“As an example, we introduced an equal parenthood policy last year. It’s a benefit that provides all our people, regardless of gender with up to 12 months parental leave, starting with six months full pay and it’s a move that I think will help level the playing field in terms of expectations around childcare,” says Laing O’Rourke Head of People Rae Avatar Barnett.

“We must also make sure that construction becomes more attractive to upcoming female talent. It’s the reason many of our projects work with local schools, promoting the varied roles available to all within Laing O’Rourke. And I am particularly proud that our 2022 intake of graduates has equal numbers of men and women,” says Laing O’Rourke Head of People Rae Avatar Barnett.

The Review ranked the top ten best performing private companies in terms of women in leadership as:

	Company	Women in Leadership	Sector
1	John Lewis Partnership Plc	63%	Retail
2	FGP Topco Ltd	47%	Industrial Good & Services
3	CDS (Superstores International) Ltd	46%	Retail
4	Pentland Group Ltd	45%	Consumer Products & Services
5	Anglian Water Group Ltd	44%	Utilities
6	Laing O’Rourke Corp Ltd	43%	Construction & Materials
7	Amalgamated Holdings Wilkinson Ltd	41%	Retail
8	Deloitte LLP	41%	Industrial Good & Services
9	British United Provident Association Ltd (BUPA)	40%	Health Care
10	Samworth Brothers (Holdings) Ltd	40%	Food, Beverage & Tobacco

The top three best performing companies for women on boards were John Lewis Partnership Plc (62.5%), Nationwide Building Society (58%), and Laing O’Rourke Corp Ltd (57%).

*Women in leadership roles consists of executive committee and direct reports or equivalent.

Source: © LAING O’ROURKE 2023

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