Irish Firms Urged to Boost Gender Balance, B4BB Report Reveals

According to a recent report from Balance for Better Business (B4BB), Irish-owned companies lag behind in achieving gender balance at the senior management and board levels. Despite Ireland’s strong ranking as the ninth most gender-equal nation in the EU, experts stress that further action is necessary to maintain and enhance this progress.

The B4BB report, titled “Gender Balance in Privately Owned Companies: An International Perspective and Strategies for Success,” emphasizes the critical role that business leaders play in advancing gender equality. Co-chairs Carol Andrews and Bernard Byrne welcome the progress made, noting that Ireland’s score on the EU’s 2024 Gender Equality Index reached 73.4 out of 100, with Sweden leading at 82 points. This marks an increase of 8.0 points since 2010, mainly due to improvements in power and health.

Gender Balance Disparities Across Sectors

Despite these advancements, the report highlights significant disparities in gender balance across different sectors. For instance, private consumer companies have a notably lower representation of women at board level compared to private utility companies. Furthermore, while women hold 28% of senior leadership roles in private companies, they occupy only 22% of board seats in large Irish-owned firms, compared to 39% in ISEQ20-listed companies.

With more than 70% of the Irish workforce employed by private companies, Andrews and Byrne advocate for these firms to adopt voluntary reporting on gender balance performance. They argue that such transparency is essential for driving meaningful change. Currently, only 16% of private companies disclose gender data voluntarily, highlighting a significant gap in accountability.

Strategies for Improvement and Call to Action

The B4BB report serves as a strategic roadmap, aiming to empower privately held companies with actionable recommendations. By leveraging the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), businesses can standardize their gender balance data, fostering accountability and encouraging further progress.

Andrews and Byrne emphasize the importance of tailored strategies for different sectors. The report reveals that the proportion of women on boards varies significantly, from 17% in consumer staples to 32% in telecommunications and utilities. By adopting sector-specific approaches, organizations can enhance their diversity efforts and drive innovation.

Prominent voices in the business community, including Declan Hughes, Secretary-General of the Department of Enterprise, and Caroline Spillane, CEO at the Institute of Directors in Ireland, stress the need for clear targets and accountability. Setting measurable gender balance goals and tracking progress regularly can create momentum for change, they assert.

Andrews and Byrne conclude with a powerful call to action for Irish business leaders: “The time to act is now. The B4BB roadmap is your essential tool to transform intention into impact. Balanced leadership is not just good practice; it is a competitive advantage.” They encourage companies of all sizes to invest in diversity and inclusion to attract top talent and foster innovation.

As Ireland navigates its path toward greater gender equality in business, the insights from the B4BB report offer a valuable framework for achieving lasting change. Businesses are urged to embrace this opportunity and shape a better future for themselves and their communities.