Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

White men still dominate senior positions across British retail: Report

Women are still underrepresented at the most senior levels.

White men still dominate senior positions across British retail: Report

A new survey has revealed that British retailers need to work more to improve diversity at the top of their businesses as white men still dominate senior positions.

The survey by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and executive search firm The MBS Group has said that over a third of retailers have all-white boards or executive committees.


Out of more than 200 businesses studied, only 14 have female chairs and 21 have female chief executive officers or chief financial officers. Also, women accounting for less than 40 per cent of all board members, executives and senior managers.

Some 76 companies including Tesco, Greggs, Boots and Burberry Group have signed up to the BRC Diversity and Inclusion Charter, up from around 45 retailers last year. The charter will track the progress retailers make on a number of key metrics, such as eliminating bias in recruitment processes.

“Women are still underrepresented at the most senior levels, ethnic diversity urgently needs addressing, and areas such as social mobility, disability and age are still not sufficiently prioritized in strategies,” said Helen Dickinson, CEO of the BRC.

According to the report, there is limited ethnic diversity on boards and executive committees, and a lack of black people occupying leadership positions across retailers.

Meanwhile, the proportion of companies adopting a diversity and inclusion strategy increased from 76 per cent in 2021 to 91 per cent. In three-quarters of UK retailers top executives are leading on diversity and inclusion strategies compared to half in 2021.

However, the percentage of women in senior management fell from 37 per cent last year to 35 per cent now. Ethnic minority representation at retailers’ top three leadership levels has also improved slightly around 10 per cent mark.

Elliott Goldstein, managing partner at The MBS Group, complained that progress on initiating diversity and inclusion plans is not moving fast enough. He added that retailers must work harder to reflect the communities they serve.

Increased scrutiny from consumers and staff and investment decisions driven by environmental, social and governance considerations are factors driving the adoption of diversity and inclusion plans.

The report pointed out factors including inflation, cost of living concerns, pandemic recovery and workforce shortages risk diverting corporate focus from diversity and inclusion.

More For You

usha-vance-jd-trump-getty

Trump with JD Vance (C) and Usha Vance in Emancipation Hall at the US Capitol after being sworn in as the 47th president of the US. (Photo: Getty Images)

Trump praises Usha Vance, the first Indian-American Second Lady

US president Donald Trump remarked that Usha Chilukuri Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, could have been his vice president, joking, "she is smarter, but the line of succession didn’t work that way."

Usha, 39, made history on Monday as the first Indian-American and Hindu to serve as Second Lady after her husband was sworn in as the 50th vice president of the United States.

Keep ReadingShow less
India-Britain-iStock

The report highlights that in 1750, India accounted for 25 per cent of global industrial output, which declined to 2 per cent by 1900 due to British protectionist policies targeting Indian textiles. (Representational image: iStock)

Report claims colonial Britain drained India of £52.7 trillion

A REPORT by Oxfam International claims that between 1765 and 1900, £52.7 trillion was transferred from India to Britain during colonial rule.

Released during the World Economic Forum in Davos, the report, Takers Not Makers: The unjust poverty and unearned wealth of colonialism, asserts that the British Empire stifled India’s industrial growth and left the nation impoverished.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vivek-Ramaswamy-Getty

Ramaswamy’s announcement came on the same day Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. (Photo: Getty Images)

Vivek Ramaswamy steps down from government role, eyes Ohio governor bid

ASIAN American entrepreneur-turned-politician Vivek Ramaswamy announced on Monday that he is stepping down from his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Ramaswamy said he plans to focus on preparing for a potential run for governor of Ohio.

Keep ReadingShow less
southport-stabbing-accused-reuters

Axel Rudakubana, 18, unexpectedly pleaded guilty to the murders of three children and to 10 counts of attempted murder. (Image credit: Reuters)

Teen pleads guilty to Southport murders; government announces inquiry

A TEENAGER admitted on Monday to murdering three young girls during a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last July, eliminating the need for the trial that was set to begin at Liverpool Crown Court.

The government has announced a public inquiry into the attack, which triggered nationwide riots.

Keep ReadingShow less
donald-trump-getty

US President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Trump signs executive orders on immigration, climate, and more on Day 1

ON HIS first day back in office, US president Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders addressing immigration, climate policies, and other key issues.

The orders included measures he had campaigned on, as well as unexpected actions like withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Keep ReadingShow less