27 November 25

• Ireland ranks 5th in the EU for women on boards of largest listed companies — up 11 places since 2018 
• Female board representation in ISEQ20 companies hits 42% 
• Privately held companies see nearly 5% rise in female board members 

Dublin, 27 November 2025 – The eighth annual report of the Balance for Better Business (B4BB) Review Group, published today, reveals positive momentum across Irish business in realising more balanced boards and leadership teams. Ireland now ranks 5th in the EU for women on boards of the largest listed companies — a major leap from 16th place when Balance for Better Business was first established. 

Launched by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD and the Balance for Better Business Co-Chairs Carol Andrews and Bernard Byrne, the report provides data on gender balance at board and leadership level across publicly listed, privately held and multinational companies.

Positive momentum

Findings reveal a nearly 5 per cent increase in board representation on privately held companies to reach 26 per cent. This major step forward in narrowing the gap in board representation, demonstrates the positive impact of leadership commitment matched with measurable action.

Privately held companies, which employ the majority of Ireland’s workforce, continue to lead on senior management teams. Findings show a 3 per cent increase in female representation on the leadership teams of privately held companies to reach 31 per cent. Multinational companies, defined as foreign owned organisations with 250 employees or more, have also made positive progress. Results reveal a 2 per cent increase in representation on senior leadership teams to reach 32 per cent. 

Sustained progress 

Findings from the report reveal sustained progress in the proportion of women on the boards of Ireland’s largest publicly listed firms. ISEQ20 companies have reached a new high of 42 per cent female representation on boards. This continued positive momentum means firms are on track to exceed the 40 per cent threshold set out by the EU’s Gender Balance on Corporate Boards Directive. There has now been a landmark 24 percentage point increase in female representation at board level among publicly listed companies since the B4BB initiative was founded in 2018. 

International leadership

The report shows that Ireland now ranks 5th in the EU for women on boards of the largest listed companies — a major leap from 16th place seven years ago when Balance for Better Business was first established. Ireland continues to perform strongly relative to its European peers regarding women executives on the largest listed companies and now exceeds the EU average of 23.7 per cent by 2.7 percentage points. No EU member states have yet reached the 40 per cent threshold on senior leadership teams. 

With international momentum accelerating ahead of the deadline to comply with new rules in the EU’s Gender Balance on Corporate Boards Directive, maintaining Ireland’s leadership position will depend on continued investment in inclusive talent strategies and leadership development.

Driving sectoral change 

The report calls for sector-specific strategies to address unique industry challenges. Findings reveal that performance varies significantly by sector emphasising the need for a sector-driven approach, based on successful strategies in top-performing sectors. 

The Information & Communication Services and Construction sectors posted the greatest sectoral increase for the representation of females on boards at 3.9 percentage points. The top three performing sectors for the proportion of women on boards are: Information & Communication Services; Administrative & Support Service Activities; and Financial & Insurance. 

Accelerating change 

Despite positive progress, the pace of change continues to be uneven. The appointment rate of women to boards on the ISEQ20 has fallen from 60 per cent to 28 per cent, however, the three year rolling average for appointments is still above 50%. The appointment rate to boards has also decreased among privately held companies, falling from 37 per cent to 32 per cent. 

The prevalence of all male leadership teams remains relatively high. 23 per cent of multinational companies had all male leadership teams. This was followed by 21 per cent of privately held companies and 16 per cent of ISEQ20. 

Commenting on the launch of the report, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD said: “Gender balanced leadership is a vital part of Ireland’s competitiveness. Climbing from 16th to 5th place in the EU for women on boards marks a major shift, driven by collective focus and measurable action. But we can’t afford to slow down. To stay ahead, gender balance must continue to be a core part of business strategy for every organisation. That means clear targets, strong accountability, and leadership from the top. Through our support for Balance for Better Business, the Government is committed to continuing our journey towards achieving a more inclusive, resilient, and high-performing future for Irish business.”

Balance for Better Business co-chair Carol Andrews said: “Irish businesses are making real strides on gender balance, with publicly listed firms not just hitting—but sustaining—the 40% target. That’s progress worth commending. But the pace across the wider business landscape is still uneven. We’re urging all companies, no matter where they are on the journey, to make gender balance a strategic priority. By embedding it into growth plans, holding leaders accountable, and taking real action, we can accelerate change and build a more balanced future for Irish business.”

Balance for Better Business co-chair Bernard Byrne added: “Balanced leadership isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a smart business move. Companies that commit to gender balance gain a competitive edge: they attract top talent, spark innovation, and boost performance. But progress isn’t uniform. That’s why sector-specific strategies matter. Every organisation, regardless of size or industry, should engage with our roadmap today to unlock the full potential of more balanced leadership.”

For more on the annual report, visit: www.betterbalance.ie/

ENDS/

For media queries contact:

Suzanne Sullivan, Q4 PR: [email protected] / 086 379 7291

Conor Shearman, Q4 PR: [email protected] / 086 059 6082

Notes to Editor

Balance for Better Business (B4BB)
Balance for Better Business (B4BB) is an independent business-led Review Group established by the government in July 2018 to improve and promote gender balance at board and leadership level of Irish business, which in turn will drive better business and societal outcomes.

Biographies
Carol Andrews is the current Managing Director and Global Head of Client Service Delivery, BNY and has been a member of the B4BB Review Group since the Government initiative was established in 2018. Carol is a graduate of the Women’s Leadership Forum, a Harvard Business School leadership development programme. 

Bernard Byrne is a former CEO of AIB Group plc and former CEO of J+E Davy. During his tenure at Davy he played a key role in the launch of the firm’s ESG advisory arm, the sale of the organisation, and its subsequent integration into the Bank of Ireland Group. He has been a long serving supporter and a Co-Chair of the Financial services arm of the 30% Club.