The British retail sector has made vital strides towards gender equality in boardrooms over the previous 5 years, in response to the newest range report from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and The MBS Group.
Girls’s illustration on retail boards has practically reached parity, growing from simply 32% 5 years in the past to 47% in 2025.
This progress is credited partially to retailers’ targeted efforts on management growth, together with creating clear expertise pipelines, appointing range and inclusion (D&I) leaders, supporting menopause initiatives, and fostering employee-led programmes.
Nevertheless, the report additionally highlights ongoing challenges. Illustration of leaders with disabilities and from decrease socioeconomic backgrounds has seen solely gradual enchancment. Ethnic range amongst senior retail leaders has declined, dropping from 12% final yr to eight% this yr, regardless of total workforce range growing.
The complete report attracts on knowledge from 200 of the UK’s main retail companies, specializing in their highest management ranges and D&I methods. It consists of insights from the Retail Belief’s Worker Inclusion Index, reflecting numerous worker experiences throughout the sector.
Key statistics from the 2025 report embody:
- 90% of outlets have a coordinated D&I technique in place, barely down from 98% in 2024
- 75% of outlets have a minimum of one senior chief from a decrease socioeconomic background (up from 70%)
- 58% of companies can establish a minimum of one senior LGBTQ+ chief (down from 67%)
- 15% of companies have a minimum of one disabled chief (up from 11%)
Since launching the BRC’s D&I Constitution in 2021, practically 90 retailers have pledged to enhance inclusion by specializing in CEO oversight, recruitment, development, reporting, inclusivity, and duty. The Constitution helps companies in addressing cultural and bias challenges and embedding lasting range practices.
Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Government of the British Retail Consortium, stated: “Retailers ought to rejoice the big efforts made to make sure extra ladies have a seat on the government desk. Greater than half of retail buyer bases are ladies, so having their perspective is crucial to success.
“If this yr’s outcomes have proven us something, it’s that we can’t relaxation on our laurels as progress can shortly fade… All workers should really feel a way of belonging to be productive and energy a enterprise to a profitable future. The work on attaining true range and inclusion should not cease till we get the place the business must be.”
Elliott Goldstein, Managing Accomplice at The MBS Group, added: “For the fifth yr, MBS is proud to have partnered with the BRC to proceed to maneuver the dial on range and inclusion within the retail business.
“To make sure lasting change, retailers should proceed to place their heads above the parapet to drive ahead initiatives and decide to constructing work environments which might be really inclusive – significantly with the backdrop of in the present day’s geopolitical surroundings.”
To study extra about DE&I learn TheIndustry.vogue’s cheat sheet and key take aways from the Vogue Minority Report’s inaugural summit right here.
