Opinion

When it comes to chairing major boards, men still rule

Over the past year, depending on when the data was cut, there have been either no women, or one woman, sitting at the helm of an ASX20 company.

Sally Patten and Patrick Durkin

Aug 18, 2024 – 5.04pm

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“At this point in time, it is not very encouraging. It sounds like something is not quite right.” These are the words of Mark Rigotti, chief executive of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, as he discusses the dearth of women chairing the country’s biggest companies.

Over the past year, depending on when the data was cut, there have been either no women, or one woman, sitting at the helm of an ASX20 company. At the end of last year, there was one – Anne Lloyd at James Hardie. In June, there were none.

Sally Patten edits BOSS, and writes about workplace issues. She was the financial services editor and personal finance editor of the AFR, The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. She edited business news for The Times of London.

Patrick Durkin is Melbourne bureau chief and BOSS deputy editor. He writes on news, business and leadership.