Advance HE’s board vacancy portal and Board Diversification projects have been listed as welcome developments contributing to the increase in the percentage of women in HEI’s (Higher Education Institutes) governing bodies. The Leaders in Higher Education report published by WomenCount today finds that women’s share of Chairs of Governing bodies and Vice Chancellor roles have improved since their previous report in 2013.
Advance HE and the Committee of University Chairs (CUC) launched the new board vacancies portal in collaboration with the Association of Heads of University Administration and the 30% Club. The WomenCount report found that 76% of appointments for Vice-Chancellor were externally recruited but there were 12 internal appointments made, of which six of were permanent appointments and six were interim appointments. All the permanent appointees were male and all the interim appointees were male, except for one woman. The aim of the Advance HE board vacancies portal is to create greater diversity of applicants by making appointments more accessible and visible.
The next Advance HE’s Women onto Boards event will take place in March, showcasing the benefits and opportunities for any woman thinking about joining a board or governing body. Participants will hear practical tips and experience from the panel of current board members and have opportunities for questions during the session and at the networking reception.