CTPartners Research Reveals 50% Increase in Fortune 250 Female CFOs Since 2009
CTPartners Research Reveals 50% Increase in Fortune 250 Female CFOs Since 2009
One Female CFO in 2001 Compared to 20 in 2011 Reflects Both Progress and Stubborn Obstacles
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- According to research from executive search firm CTPartners, the Fortune 250 has gone from one female CFO at the start of 2001 to 20 in 11 years, with half named since 2009.
The data show that eight percent of Fortune 250 CFOs are women. Thirty-five percent of those women held CFO roles in other companies before being hired into their current positions, and 65 percent were internal hires. Thirty percent had 19 years' internal experience before being named CFO.
Highlights from the research:
8% Current F250 CFOs are women (20)
All sitting female CFOs, except one, hired 2001 or later (1 in 1997)
50% sitting female CFOs named in 2009 or after (10)
35% hired in as CFO from outside (7)
65% were internal hires (13)
30% had 19 yrs. internal experience or more before being named CFO (6 out of 20)
15% had 27 yrs. internal experience or more before being named CFO (3 out of 20)
Barry Bregman, managing director at CTPartners and head of the firm's CFO practice, said, "The increase in female CFOs, especially since 2009, is an encouraging trend, but the still small percentage reflects the corporate Catch-22 limiting more aggressive progress. More companies are committed to hiring women CFOs to strengthen diversity and performance of their companies. The problem is that most large public companies will only consider women with prior CFO experience. As a result, Fortune 250 companies are facing a highly limited talent supply."
Bregman added, "There are many qualified women who deserve to advance to the CFO role, but they aren't getting a chance because of companies' excessive caution. In effect, it's hard to become a CFO if you aren't already a CFO. Companies need to rethink their criteria if they are serious about diversity."
CTPartners analyzed the Fortune 250 to identify female CFOs and supporting data from 1990 through 2011. Interviews by Barry Bregman with male and female CFOs added insight. The list of Fortune 250 female CFOs is available on request.
About CTPartners
CTPartners is a leading performance-driven executive search firm serving clients across the globe. Committed to a philosophy of partnering with its clients, CTPartners offers a proven record in C-Suite, senior executive, and board searches, as well as expertise serving private equity and venture capital firms.
With origins dating back to 1980, CTPartners serves clients with a global organization of more than 400 professionals and employees, offering expertise in board advisory services and executive recruiting services in the financial services, life sciences, industrial, professional services, retail and consumer, and technology, media and telecom industries. Headquartered in New York, CTPartners has 23 offices in 15 countries. www.ctnet.com
Roberts Buchanan Associates
Anita Buchanan, 978-821-9877
anita@robertsbuchanan.com
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