Prime Highlight
- Women account for 40% of board members in the ISEQ 20, marking a 54% increase since 2020 and showing steady progress toward balanced boardrooms in Ireland.
- Despite growth in overall representation, women hold only 23% of senior positions, and just two boards have female chairs, highlighting persistent leadership gaps.
Key Facts
- Fifteen of the ISEQ 20 companies now have at least one woman in a top leadership role, while newly appointed directors made up 10% of all board members this year.
- Non-Irish nationals occupy 40% of non-executive director roles, and the average age of chairs has risen to 70, reflecting broader boardroom trends.
Background
Women now make up 40% of all board members in the ISEQ 20, according to the latest Spencer Stuart Ireland Board Index for 2025. Female representation has grown 54% since the Index started in 2020, showing steady progress toward more balanced boardrooms in Ireland.
However, the report shows that companies still vary widely in gender representation, from 17% to 50%. The gap is even bigger at the top, where women hold only 23% of senior positions, and only two ISEQ 20 boards have women as chairs.
Ruth Curran, Managing Partner of Spencer Stuart Ireland, said the numbers highlight both improvement and imbalance. She noted that although overall board representation has improved, women still hold fewer than one in four senior roles. She added that 15 of the ISEQ 20 companies now have at least one woman in a top leadership position, and the rise in female board members over the past five years may eventually lead to greater senior-level diversity.
The Index also points to broader boardroom trends. Newly appointed directors made up 10% of all members for the second year in a row. A total of 20 new directors joined nine boards this year, of whom 75% were non-executive directors. The average age of new directors rose to 57, reversing a three-year decline, while the average age of chairs increased to 70.
The average fee for NEDs fell to €79,126, marking the first decline in five years. Curran also said that non-Irish nationals now hold 40% of NED roles, bringing broader perspectives. She warned, however, that the falling number of listed companies could reduce the pool of future board-ready talent.
She emphasized that companies need new ways to develop leaders and keep improving board diversity.
