The widening gender pay chasm in European finance boardrooms

[WORLD] In a surprising turn of events, the gender pay gap for non-executive board members in Europe's financial services sector has widened, despite ongoing efforts to recruit more women to senior roles. This development raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current diversity initiatives and the underlying factors contributing to persistent wage disparities in corporate leadership.

According to a recent analysis by the consultancy EY, women on the boards of banks, insurers, and asset managers were paid 36% less than their male counterparts in 2023, compared to a 31% disparity in 2019. This increase in the pay gap comes at a time when companies across the European Union are scrambling to meet the European Commission's 2026 deadline for achieving 40% female representation on their boards.

The Numbers Behind the Widening Gap

The EY study, which examined nearly 90 companies in Europe, including Britain, revealed some startling statistics:

Women were paid 36% less than men on average in 2023 on financial services boards.

The pay gap has increased from 31% in 2019 to 36% in 2023.

Only 28% of European financial services firms analyzed by EY currently meet the EU's target for female board representation.

These figures paint a concerning picture of the state of gender equality in European boardrooms, particularly in the financial sector.

Factors Contributing to the Pay Disparity

Several factors have been identified as potential contributors to this widening pay gap:

1. Role Assignment

Kate Grussing, managing director of Sapphire Partners, a headhunting firm specializing in diverse candidates for senior roles, suggests that women may be more frequently placed in less important board member roles. This trend could explain part of the pay discrepancy.

2. Experience Disparity

Omar Ali, EY global financial services leader, points out that male directors often have more C-Suite experience than their female counterparts by the time they are appointed to board positions. This experience gap can lead to higher compensation for male board members.

3. Committee Assignments

Men are more likely to be tapped for multiple committee seats, which can result in higher overall compensation. The study found that women are being paid less when serving on board committees such as audit and nomination.

4. Committee Leadership Roles

Perhaps most alarmingly, female committee chairs are earning only half of what their male counterparts are making. This significant disparity in leadership roles contributes substantially to the overall pay gap.

The Impact on Women's Progress

The widening pay gap is described as a "red flag" by industry experts. It suggests that despite increased efforts to recruit women to senior roles, there are still significant barriers to achieving true equality in the boardroom.

Tara Cemlyn-Jones, a former investment banker who leads 25x25, a women's leadership advocacy group, describes the gender pay gap among non-executives as "disappointing and staggering". This sentiment is particularly poignant considering that nearly a decade has passed since the launch of the Hampton-Alexander Review, which aimed to increase the number of women in top roles at companies.

EU Targets and Corporate Response

The European Commission has set ambitious targets for gender representation in corporate leadership:

• 40% female representation on company boards by June 2026.
• 33% representation across executive and non-executive roles.

Companies that fail to meet these objectives may face penalties. However, the widening pay gap suggests that merely increasing the number of women in board positions is not sufficient to achieve true equality.

Comparing Europe to North America

Interestingly, the study found a contrasting trend in North America. In the United States and Canada, the gap between male and female boardroom pay narrowed from 7% in 2019 to 5% in 2023. Moreover, women in North America made almost as much as men when appointed to chairs or as members of board committees.

This comparison raises questions about the differences in approach to gender equality in corporate leadership between Europe and North America.

The Need for Comprehensive Solutions

Addressing the widening gender pay gap in European financial boardrooms will require a multifaceted approach:

Transparent Pay Structures: Companies should implement clear and transparent pay structures to ensure that compensation is based on role and performance rather than gender.

Equal Opportunity for Leadership Roles: Boards need to ensure that women have equal opportunities to chair important committees and take on significant responsibilities.

Addressing the Experience Gap: Companies should invest in leadership development programs to help women gain the C-Suite experience that is often cited as a reason for pay disparities.

Regular Pay Audits: Regular audits of board member compensation can help identify and address pay discrepancies before they widen.

Challenging Unconscious Bias: Training programs to identify and challenge unconscious bias in board appointments and compensation decisions are crucial.

Looking Ahead: The Path to Equality

As the 2026 deadline for EU board representation targets approaches, it's clear that simply increasing the number of women in board positions is not enough. True equality requires addressing the underlying factors that contribute to pay disparities.

Kate Grussing emphasizes the need for vigilance, stating that boards "need to have a careful eye on pay discrepancies that can result, for example if women are predominantly in what are perceived as lighter touch committee chair roles".

The widening pay gap serves as a wake-up call for the financial services sector and beyond. It highlights the need for continued efforts to not only recruit women to senior roles but to ensure they are valued, compensated, and empowered equally once they reach those positions.

As we move forward, it will be crucial for companies, policymakers, and advocacy groups to work together to address this complex issue. Only through concerted effort and a commitment to true equality can we hope to close the gender pay gap and create a more equitable corporate landscape in Europe and around the world.