2023-08-28 20:05:34
The women appointed in 2022 to the boards of directors of the 100 largest companies listed in Switzerland were almost as numerous as the men. This is a record and a step towards parity in a context where men still occupy almost 70% of the seats.
The Swiss Circle of Administrators presented its 2022 prize to Logitech. The association which supports the presence of women on boards of directors rewarded the Valdo-Californian company for the participation of women in management functions, this Monday during a ceremony at the Beau-Rivage hotel in Lausanne.
“For us, Logitech’s journey on diversity and inclusion has been a long one. This award is incredibly honoring for members of the company. But I also hope it allows us to set a bit of an example for the business community in Switzerland and abroad on how they too can bring more women and more diversity into their senior management ranks,” said Wendy Becker, chairman of the board of directors of Logitech, when interviewed. Monday at 7:30 p.m. from the RTS.
Switzerland lags behind
Elected to head Logitech in 2019, Wendy Becker is the exception that proves the rule. Of the 20 Swiss companies in the SMI, she is the only woman to chair a board of directors.
In terms of gender equality in managerial positions, Switzerland is lagging behind. According to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for 2022, our country’s boards of directors only have 33.5% women. This is barely more than the OECD average, which is 29.6%. Our German (37.2%), French (45.2%) and Italian (42.6%) neighbors offer a better example.
A record number of nominations in 2022
But the situation of women in strategic positions in companies might well recover. This year, the Swiss Circle of Administrators is celebrating a new record with great fanfare. For the first time last year, 46% of people appointed to boards of directors in Switzerland were women. It’s not yet parity, but we’re getting close.
For Wendy Becker, we must continue the fight: “What is important for Swiss boards of directors is that we continue to identify diverse people, with various opinions and points of view.”
A question of generation
Valentina Gizzi, President of the Swiss Circle of Directors, insists on the advantages of better representation for companies: “Investors are increasingly interested in companies which have an environmental, governmental and societal strategy, whose diversity is a important pillar.”
If the law today aims at quantified objectives, the path towards parity in the boards of directors is likely to be still long. Perhaps the time for a new generation to take up the business torch.
Marie Ivorra Grosse, member of the board of directors of the Blanchisseries Générales, which won the prize in the SME category, is convinced that male domination in business is the legacy of a past that is soon to be over: “I have the feeling that young people in SMEs who take over companies really want to have more women.”
Matthieu Hoffstetter et Feriel Mestiri
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