Just 14% of FTSE 100 companies set measurable objectives for board ethnic diversity while for FTSE 250 companies the figure is a meagre 2%.

Even where objectives have been set, no FTSE 350 companies report progress against them.

To address this failing, the FRC expects much-improved reporting by companies under the new UK Corporate Governance Code which promotes diversity in appointments and succession plans, including ethnic diversity.

The research, undertaken by Cranfield University’s School of Management, also found that whilst 11% of FTSE 100 and 4% of FTSE 250 companies plan to increase ethnic diversity in the succession pipeline, most focus on general progression rather than specifically focusing on senior management.

The 2020 Parker Review, which includes the FRC research, showed that 150 companies out of 256 (59%) did not have at least one director of colour on their boards, with less ethnic diversity observed on the boards of FTSE 250 companies: 37% of FTSE 100 companies, and 69% of FTSE 250 companies, do not currently meet the Parker Review target.

To improve ethnic diversity, the Parker Review recommends each FTSE 100 board should have at least one director of colour by 2021 and by 2024 for the FTSE 250.

The FRC’s analysis also found:

• 3% of the FTSE 100 and 11% of the FTSE 250 do not have a policy on board diversity.
• Over half of FTSE 100 companies (54) provided little elaboration in their policy beyond some acknowledgement of the value of board diversity.
• Only 21 FTSE 100 companies specified ethnicity in director succession planning.

Sir Jon Thompson, CEO of the FRC, said: “The UK’s record on boardroom ethnicity is poor. It is unacceptable that talented people are being excluded from succession and leadership simply because companies are failing to put in place appropriate policies on boardroom ethnicity, are not setting targets or are not monitoring their progress against policies.

“A more diverse boardroom leads to better business outcomes, which is why the UK Corporate Governance Code, and now the UK Stewardship Code, requires companies and investors to promote diversity and inclusion. We will monitor closely how companies report on their policies or explain their lack of progress, in this area.”