# Research reveals 'glass ceiling' in governance

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/10/08/research-reveals-039glass-ceiling039-governance/
- Published: 2007-10-08T23:00:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

There is a glass ceiling in voluntary sector governance that means women and people
from black and minority ethnic backgrounds find it harder to become trustees of 
larger charities and voluntary organisations.
The BoardsCount benchmarking survey,
launched at the NCVO/On Board governance conference yesterday (8 October), revealed
that in smaller organisations, women made up 45 per cent of the board, but only 
29 per cent in larger organisations. For black and minority ethnic trustees, these
figures are 12 per cent and seven per cent respectively.

 

 

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More than half the respondents felt that their boards failed to adequately meet 
the diverse needs of their existing trustees. About half felt there was a gap in
the representation of disabled people and almost a third believed there should be
a better gender balance.

 

 

The survey involved more than 70 organisations and around 450 board members and 
senior staff to compare governance practice with others to help improve performance.

 

 

Results did show that most organisations surveyed are demonstrating signs of good
leadership.

 

www.ncvo-vol.org.uk

 

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