Media Coverage 5th June 2019 48 seconds read

Financial Times: Retailers risk losing touch with customers over diversity

A new report from executive recruitment and diversity consultancy Green Park and global law firm DLA Piper reveals, for the first time, the extent of the lack of diversity within the leadership teams of the top US, UK and European retailers.

The Retail Leadership 700, a review of the diversity composition of leading retail Boards across the UK, US and mainland Europe, find that white males dominate senior leadership positions at the 30 biggest retail brands in the UK, US and mainland Europe. Amongst almost 700 positions, white men hold 67% of the total roles in the US and 72% in both the UK and Europe.

Launched in association with the World Retail Congress, the report suggests that in an increasingly competitive market, retailers risk losing share amongst their increasingly diverse customer base, and the brightest and best employees. 

By the middle of the century, retail leadership could find itself totally at odds with its consumer base. Without radical change, by 2050, UK boards will be just 15% as diverse their customers; the US’s leaders will do better - 35% as diverse as their customers.

This article was published in the Financial Times on the 5th of May, 2019. To read the full article, click here.