Post by Spirax Group

Today marks the publication of the FTSE Women Leaders Review and a moment of transition. Over the past five years, the Review has continued to demonstrate that voluntary, business-led action, underpinned by transparency and accountability, can deliver something powerful: a shift of long-established norms at the highest levels of British business to create transformational and sustained progress. We are delighted that the Review names Spirax Group, alongside HSBC Holdings, as the two FTSE 100 companies that have made the most progress on women in leadership compared to the previous year, placing us 20th overall for women on Boards and senior leadership (moving up 40 places from our 60th place ranking in 2024). This progress reflects our consistent leadership commitment to working hard to attract great talent and ensuring we create safe, inclusive, supportive workplaces where everyone can thrive.   Today also marks the conclusion of our Group CEO, Nimesh Patel’s five-year tenure as CoChair of the Review, alongside Penny James; a period that has been defined by collective and deliberate effort from Chairs, CEOs, Boards and policymakers working together. Across the FTSE 350, women now hold 43% of Board positions, 36% of leadership roles, and Non-Executive Director roles are essentially gender balanced.  “Real progress happens when leaders move beyond compliance and act with consistency, transparency and intent. At Spirax Group, the progress we’ve made since 2021 shows what’s possible when organisations embrace equality. This isn’t about optics, it’s about competitiveness, culture and unlocking the broadest possible talent.     “I am proud of what has been collectively achieved by British business. In the Review’s next phase, the priority is clear, to protect what has been achieved and to keep building momentum, because the last five years have shown us that working in partnership with belief, commitment and an equitable approach, means that equality is not just a hope, it is an inevitability.     “Thank you to everyone involved for supporting these outcomes.”     Nimesh Patel, Group CEO, Spirax Group  Co-Chair, Women FTSE Leaders Review (2021 – 2026)