Professor Susan Vinnicombe OBE,
Director, International Centre for Women Leaders
The Female
FTSE Report 2009International Centre for Women Leaders
We are committed to helping organisations to develop the next generation of leaders from the widest possible pool of talent. We are unique in focusing our research, management development and writing on gender diversity at leadership level. Our Female FTSE work is endorsed at the highest level of government.
It is widely recognized that there is a gender imbalance at senior management/leadership level. The Centre aims first to understand the issues facing senior women managers, and second the impact of organizational and personal factors on women's managerial careers. Research findings then inform the Centre's management development activities.
"When I helped set up the Female FTSE Index in 1999 it was clear there was a lack of women in boardrooms. And while there has been some improvement since then, there has been an increase this year in the overall number of companies with men-only boards.
I reject the argument of those who say “because the economy is in difficulty we should put equality on the backburner. It is a luxury we cannot afford right now”. Equality is not just for the good times. It is for all times. It is vital for every individual, for a vibrant economy and for a fair society."
Harriet Harman QC MP
Leader of the House of Commons, Lord Privy Seal
Minister for Women and Equality
(from Foreword to Female FTSE Report 2009)
Our Objectives
- Lead the national debate on gender diversity and corporate boards.
- Deliver the trailblazing programme "Women as Leaders".
- Provide a centre of excellence on women leaders, from which organisations can obtain the latest trends, up-to-date research and benchmark best practice.
- Identify and examine emergent issues in gender diversity and leadership, through sponsored research in partnership with industry, government and other organisations - eg our leading edge Female FTSE Index and our study of the link between flexible working and performance with working families.
- Share academic research findings globally through conferences, workshops, and academic articles.
- Contribute to the wider community
- Regular speaker at numerous women's networks
- Judge a number of women's awards, including European Women of Achievement, Asian Women of Achievement, Management Today's 35 women under 35 and the top 50 most powerful women. Also National Business Awards.
- Practitioner reports and articles in the international press
- Quarterly Centre meetings for members and friends of the Centre
- Network - via quarterly e-newsletter (to all past delegates)
Research projects within the Centre fall into a number of themes which have been developed in collaboration with industrial and public sector partners:
- Women Directors/Leaders
- Boardroom Cultures
- Role models
- Women and organisational politics
- Managing diversity
- Career management
- Flexible working
- Gendered cultures, including large corporates, professional service firms and science, engineering and technology companies
- Women and management education
- Women's corporate networks
Through research, consultancy and management development activities, the Cranfield Centre for Women Leaders is committed to helping organisations and women managers world-wide to take positive steps towards redressing the current gender imbalance at executive levels.
The Centre's Team
Members
- Thoranna Jonsdottir, DBA Student
- Halla Tomasdottir, DBA Student
- Melissa Carr, PhD Student
- Elena Doldor, PhD Student
- Doyin Atewologun, PhD Student
- Mary Gaughan, PhD Student
- Dr Val Singh Visiting Fellow
- Dr Aurora Chen, Visiting Fellow
- Dr Savita Kumra, Visiting Fellow & Associate Lecturer
- Dr Dale Nelson, Visiting Fellow
- Jacey Graham, Visiting Fellow
- Dr Sarah Rutherford, Visiting Fellow