Stock exchanges play an important function in overseeing the companies listed on them. They set the tone for risk management and corporate governance.
A simple question answered by facts.
How diverse are the boards of World Stock Exchanges?
Viewing data of global exchanges
| Stock Exchange | # of Women | Size of the Board | Diversity % |
| Johannesburg Stock Exchange | 6 | 14 | 43% |
| Intercontinental Exchange ICE (NYSE) | 1 | 14 | 7% |
| London Stock Exchange | 2 + 1 = 3 (As of Aug 17 2014) | 14 | 14% > to 21% |
| NASDAQ OMX | 2 | 11 | 18% |
| Japan Stock Exchange | 1 | 14 | 7% |
| Oslo Bors Stock Exchange | 3 | 7 | 43% |
| Dubai Financial Market | 0 | 5 | 0% |
| BM&F BOVESPA (Brazil) | 0 | 10 | 0% |
| Australia Stock Exchange | 2+1 = 3 (As of Feb 9th 2015) | 8 + 2 = 10 (Feb 2015) | 25%> to 30% |
| Bombay Stock Exchange | 0 | 8 | 0% |
| Toronto Stock Exchange | 3 | 17 | 18% |
Stock exchanges play an important function in overseeing the companies listed on them. They set the tone for risk management and corporate governance.
A simple question answered by facts.
How diverse are the boards of World Stock Exchanges?
Viewing data of global exchanges
The Johannesburg stock exchange “JSE” is the largest in Africa. When you look at its board makeup and composition, six of the fourteen are women. A huge number, almost ~43%. Comparing this to The Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE parent), only one of its fourteen members is a woman.
Across the Atlantic Ocean in Europe, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) is one of the oldest stock exchanges in the world; two of the fourteen only are women. (Update as of August 17th, 2014 three of fourteen) The Nasdaq OMX is a bit better % wise because its smaller board size.
Norway implemented quotas for women, its Oslo Stock exchange is three of the seven, almost ~43% are women.
Is this the best role model? When we have to benchmark against in comparing with peers.
I have more questions than answers viewing the data above?
1) Can the numbers be grown in Western developed countries first?
2) Will new developing exchanges from emerging and frontier markets (MSCI) continue to outpace developed modern electronic exchanges?
One thing is certain more can be done and should be done when our planet is diverse. Almost half the population on the planet is of a different gender. Many qualified and well-deserving females and diverse candidates can bring new insights to the exchanges at the board level.
