Diversity and inclusion

Female representation

Our survey shows that, on average, female representation in the sector has increased slightly since 2019. The most noticeable improvement is in the number of female recruiters and other staff, which has risen from 41% three years ago to 47% in 2022. Two thirds of firms (67%) say they now have between 20% and 60% female representation among their recruiters/resourcers.

More women working in recruitment is indicative of firms not only striving for a better gender balance in an industry that has historically been male dominated but also of a changing culture in the sector.

Most firms now understand the importance of creating an environment that promotes learning and development, flexible working arrangements and mental health support. There is also greater recognition at many firms that employees need to be enabled to grow and develop their career while still being able to manage family commitments.

Barriers at board level

Nevertheless, this shift in attitudes appears to be taking time to have an impact at more senior levels at recruitment agencies. While the average number of women on leadership teams rose slightly between 2019 and 2022 to 37%, almost half (46%) of firms have less than 30% female representation on their leadership teams and 18% have no female representation at all.

What’s more, average female representation at board level in 2022 has stood still at the 2019 figure of 25%. Just 17% of firms have roughly equal numbers of men and women at board level, while close to half (47%) have no women on their boards at all. Breaking the figures down by firm size, the standout statistic is the low female representation at board level at the bigger recruiters – just 15%.

The industry is, of course, taking action to address the imbalance at senior levels, with various initiatives, such as the women in leadership course run by APSCo. With more of that kind of support and the increase in women recruiters our survey has revealed in 2022, perhaps future Recruitment Index surveys will see a welcome rise in the number of women in senior positions.

How embedded is D&I?

Looking at D&I more broadly it’s clear most recruitment agencies believe it to be well embedded in their businesses. Eight in ten say it is a key business imperative, 68% have an organisation-wide strategy, 61% provide D&I training for leaders and 57% of firms say their business leaders are accountable for D&I KPIs. However, only 9% have linked executive compensation to D&I goals.