Dagens Industri and Aktuell Hållbarhet, two major Swedish newspapers, revealed this week that only 13 out of 130 large companies say that they have people with a background outside of Europe or North America on their board.
Diversity in board composition is highly important, as pointed out by both SFL vice-director Lin Lerpold and Amanda Lundeteg, CEO of Allbright Foundation. It’s the arena where strategic decisions are made, and a more diverse board entail a greater range of perspectives. Experts also emphasize that companies whose board members have different backgrounds tend to perform better, not least in value creation.
The article asks both Lin Lerpold and Amanda Lundeteg about the results of the survey, why diversity as it relates to the composition of boards matter and about the future.
Access the articles referred to here and here (both only available in Swedish)
The result clearly shows that Swedish business fails to see competence in the entire population. It’s inexcusable really.
Amanda Lundeteg, CEO of the Allbright foundation
In every way a missed opportunity. Creativity and experiences that could be a valuable resource for both the company and society at large is being wasted.
Lin Lerpold, SFL vice-director
