Switzerland: Women in leadership, a large gap
Women are not only legally equal with men, they also have equal or higher degrees, qualifications and leadership competences. However at the top corporate levels, they are strongly underrepresented in comparison with male colleagues.
Almost all Swiss companies are run by men, with only a few exceptions.
The list of women at the highest hierarchy level in Swiss companies is short: just four in highest management and two Chairpersons among about hundred largest companies in Switzerland. Susanne Ruoff at the Post, Jasmin Staiblin at Alpiq Holding, Suszanne Thoma at BKW Energie and Philomena Colatrella at the Heath Insurance CSS.
Ms. Colatrella was promoted in 2016, the first time in three years, a woman was appointed to a top post, according to the Schilling Report 2017. The full report shows the imbalance of women and men in Swiss companies in all its implications.
These four Women executives make up only three percent of all 119 CEOs who formed the basis of the Schilling Report. To note is that none of the companies managed by women is represented in the SMI. The index of the largest 20 stocks accounts for around 85% of the total capitalization of the Swiss equities market.
First Woman Chairperson, in 2010
Even shorter is the list of women who preside over Boards in Switzerland: Monika Ribar is Chair of the SBB and Nayla Hayek at the Swatch Group. Swatch is listed in the SMI. With the election of Ribar, "two Chairpersons" have been listed on the list for the first time in the entire survey period since 2006, this is just two percent of the total audited group of 90.
Switzerland low on a global comparison
Despite these extremely low figures, the Schilling report is relatively confident about the further development. Overall, women account for a total of 9% executive committees, 14% of top management and 21% of middle management. This share has risen sharply, particularly in the last year. This statistic is based on feedback from 113 companies.
Switzerland is ranked fourth last in the European ranking; Greece is on last place with the women's share only of 9% in top management. The top three places are Norway with a women's share of 43%, France with 41% and Sweden with 37%.
