Central Bank takes aim at the lack of gender diversity in Irish firms

Women made up less than a sixth of applicants for roles where the holders are responsible for driving strategy or business revenue

Female applications for board positions fell by two percentage points from 24% in 2019 to 22% in 2020. Picture: Bloomberg

The Central Bank said there has been a disappointing lack of progress in gender diversity at senior levels of regulated Irish firms.

Of the 3,600 applications for approval to occupy senior roles within regulated firms in Ireland last year, just over one in four were from women with little change from 2019.