In 2011, for the second time, the Reibey Institute researched the performance of the 500 largest listed companies in Australia. What they found at the time is now widely recognised as evidence that supports the links between diversity and financial performance.

• Companies with women on the board delivered 6.7% and 9.2%, 3 and 5 Year Return on Equity versus -0.1% and      0.5% for companies with all male boards
• Women hold 9.5% of director positions, up from 7.1% last year
• 307 female directors and 10 female chairpersons
• 233 companies with female directors on boards, leaving 267 with no board gender diversity
• 235 unique women holding 307 roles
• 20% of women serve on multiple boards versus 12% of men
• Average age of women on ASX500 boards is 52
• More than 1/3 studied commerce or economics

To find out more, read the full report here.