Watermark Search Releases First Issue of Board Diversity Index

Watermark’s 2015 Board Diversity Index examines the composition of the ASX200 boards. The focus of many diversity discussions has been on gender diversity in the boardroom, both internationally and in Australia.  Watermark Board Diversity Index has chosen diversity in the broadest sense across race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other areas of difference from what is considered ‘the norm’. Among the topics explored are changes in work experience, gender and cultural diversity among boards.

The report finds diverse firms have a record for achieving superior business outcomes. The report highlights a finding from Credit Suisse that found, boards with more women on them had a higher Return on Equity (ROE), lower gearing, Higher Price/Book Value multiples and better than average growth.  Diverse boardrooms introduce different perspectives, different ways of looking at challenges and different ways of solving those challenges. The firm hopes to stimulate a discussion surrounding diversity in Australia’s boardrooms.

 The full report is published on Watermark’s website. Read the full report.