Women in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure 2020 Review - 2019 Edition

Industry leaders speak up

The hospitality, travel and leisure sector is the 3rd largest private sector employer in the country, providing employment for 3.2 million people.* But how diverse and inclusive is the industry? And what is the female representation? This research is based on diversity data and interviews with the CEOs, Chairs and Human Resource leaders of 120 businesses across the sector, as well as data in the Hampton-Alexander review. Here’s what it found…

_{*Source: Kate Nicholls, CEO UKHospitality: Women in Hospitality, Travel & Leisure 2020 Review - 2019 Edition}

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Momentum being built in a sustainable way

The number of women who are direct reports into the executive committee is looking particularly promising at 36% across the whole sector, including both listed and non-listed businesses of scale. And a range of successful initiatives are being piloted and implemented across the sector.

How do companies outside the FTSE compare?

Despite there having previously been less public scrutiny, companies outside the FTSE compare well to the FTSE 250 when it comes to gender diversity of executive committees and their direct reports – though they lag behind at board level.

Looking beyond gender: BAME people under-represented

For the first time this year, this research has looked beyond gender and thrown light on the lack of ethnic diversity among the sector’s senior leaders. While 1 in 8 people of working age are from a BAME (black, Asian, and minority ethnic) background in the UK, the research has found just 1 in 33 of hospitality, travel and leisure leaders (board, executive committee and direct reports) are. With the UK Government launching a consultation on mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting in October 2018, this is clearly an area that will increasingly be in the spotlight for businesses in the coming months and years.

Building on momentum through collaboration and a renewed focus

Through the Women in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure 2020 initiative, over 50 of the largest employers in the sector have come together to share best practices, learn from each other and join resources to work on tangible actions aimed at making long-lasting impact in terms of diversity and inclusion. Companies have also signed The Diversity in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure Charter to show their commitment to move the diversity and inclusion dial - visit the WiH2020 website to find out more and sign up to the charter.