Report into Women

Manufacturing companies in the FTSE 100 have a higher than average number of women on their boards compared to the FTSE 100 overall according to a report published by EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, in partnership with Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking and Cranfield School of Management The report comes at a critical time given the debate over whether there should be statutory quotas for women on Plc Boards, and because of the national debate on the shortage of female engineers at all levels.

The report highlights that out of the 29 manufacturing firms within the FTSE 100, women account for 19% of board positions, which is slightly higher than the 17% average of the entire FTSE 100.

Currently, nine out of 10 engineers are male, and just 20% of the manufacturing and engineering workforce is female compared to 49% in other sectors.

Furthermore, since 2008 the number of female engineers has gone up just 1% to 6%. This leaves a huge disparity compared to the rest of Europe.