New directors of BEL 20 companies are younger, and more often female

The boards of directors of companies in the BEL 20, the index of the top 20 listed companies in Belgium, are becoming younger and featuring more female members, according to a study by consultancy firm Heidrick & Struggles.

The average age of newly appointed directors in Belgium fell to 52.8 in 2022, down from 57.5 in 2021. The proportion of female directors has nearly doubled in a year, with 60 per cent of new appointments being women. In 2021, women accounted for only 31 per cent.

According to Heidrick & Struggles, BEL 20 companies have, for the first time, invested in people with experience in sustainability: 10 per cent of new board members had a background in sustainability last year, the study shows. This is in line with the European average.

(BRV)

^{The headquarters of Belgian telecom provider Proximus, a company listed in the BEL 20 © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT}