Arup recognised for gender diversity of corporate leadership by FTSE Women Leaders Review

As one of the private companies, the Review highlights Arup’s achievements in gender diverse corporate leadership: 

• Women on Boards: Arup has 55.6% representation of women on its board, placing it among the top private companies in terms of gender diversity
• Year-on-Year Progress: Arup has shown notable progress, with a 9.4% increase in women's representation on its board  
• Sector Performance: Arup ranks high within Engineering & Contracting Services and third among private companies, surpassing the 40% benchmark for women in leadership

In 2011, only 9.5% of FTSE 350 board members were women, showing the significant strides made towards gender parity across UK companies.  

The average representation of women on boards in the FTSE 350 is 43%, while the Review encourages businesses to meet a voluntary target of 40% representation of women on boards and in senior leadership by 2025, highlighting Arup's standout position. 

Joanna Rowelle, Director and UKIMEA board member at Arup said, “At Arup, we believe that true innovation and sustainable growth come from diverse perspectives and inclusive leadership. Achieving over 55% representation of women on our board is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to gender equity and a culture where everyone can thrive. This recognition within the FTSE Women Leaders Review 2025 reinforces our belief that businesses flourish when they mirror the communities they serve. 

“Women within Arup now make up over 40% of our workforce in the UK and the representation of women at the most senior level increased from over 25% in 2023 to almost 27% in 2024. We remain dedicated to fostering an environment where talent, not gender, defines leadership.” 

Arup’s global strategy, 'From EDI to Belonging,' outlines the firm's commitment to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion across all operations. This strategy emphasises creating an environment where all colleagues feel valued and respected and includes comprehensive programmes of work to promote gender diversity and foster an inclusive workplace.

View the FTSE Women Leaders Review 2025 report