A comprehensive list of 50 men recognised for their efforts in championing gender diversity in the UK business sector has been unveiled. These individuals have been acknowledged for their significant contributions towards promoting women in business.
The FT & HERoes Champions of Women in Business lists have categorised the nominees into three distinct groups: 100 Female Executives, 50 Female Future Leaders, and 50 Male Executives. This year’s male executives list features some of the most influential figures in technology and business. Notably, Marc Benioff, CEO of a leading cloud computing company, ranked third, with Vittorio Colao, CEO of a major telecommunications firm, following closely in fourth place.
Similarly, Andrew Penn, CEO of a prominent telecommunications company, secured the eighth position, while Iain Anderson, Executive Chairman of Cicero Group, came in at number 13. Rob Mukherjee, the outgoing North West Regional Chair of a leading telecom provider, also made the list at number 34. Mukherjee has been instrumental in advancing the Northern Powerhouse agenda and has garnered several accolades, including the Best Male Mentor award in 2017 and the Northern Power Women Agent of Change award in 2018. He recently announced his departure from the telecom giant after a 12-year tenure.
The recognition comes from INvolve, a membership organisation committed to championing diversity and inclusion in business. The full list of male executives championing gender diversity includes notable names like Paul Polman, CEO of a multinational consumer goods company; Peter T. Grauer, Executive Chairman of a global financial data and media company; and Michael Cole-Fontayn, Chairman of the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME).
Other distinguished individuals include Steve Varley, UK Chairman of a leading professional services firm; Brian Cornell, CEO of a major retail corporation; and Peter Harrison, Group Chief Executive of an investment management company. The list also features Chris Wei, Global Chairman of a digital arm and Executive of a global insurance company; Ron O’Hanley, President & COO of a financial services and bank holding company; and David Liao, President & CEO of a major commercial bank in China.
Further notable mentions are David Sproul, Senior Partner & Chief Executive of a global professional services firm; Oliver Benzecry, UKI Chairman and Country Director of a global professional services company; and Dominic Christian, Global Chairman of a leading global professional services firm specialising in risk and insurance. Additionally, Rakesh Kapoor, CEO of a multinational consumer goods company, and Johan Lundgren, CEO of a British multinational low-cost airline, have also been recognised.
The list continues with influential figures like Rob Mukherjee, North West Regional Chair of a telecom giant; Tom Casteleyn, Managing Director and Global Head of Custody Product Management at a global investments company; David Hynam, CEO of a UK healthcare provider; and Matt Hammerstein, Head of a leading credit card and lending business. Other key names include Matthew Krentz, Senior Partner and Managing Director, Global People Chair at a management consulting firm; Osman Faiz, Chief Information Officer, Singapore at a major banking group; and Jörg Ambrosius, Executive Vice President at a financial services holding company.
Lastly, others recognised are Omar Ali, UK Financial Services Managing Partner at a professional services firm; Colin Passmore, Senior Partner at an international law firm; Karl Edge, Midlands Regional Chair of a professional services firm; and Matthew Norris, Global Head at a major banking group. Prominent business leaders like Alex Atzberger, President of a customer experience solutions firm; Seamus Smith, Executive Vice President of a payments and banking solutions company; and Mark Burgess, Deputy Global Chief Investment Officer at an asset management company, also feature on the list.
Additionally, Simon Linares, Group Human Resources Director of a UK insurance company; Mark Heighton, Head of UK Real Estate Team at an international law firm; and others have been acknowledged for their contributions towards gender diversity.
This distinguished list highlights the ongoing efforts by prominent male executives across various industries to advance gender diversity in the workplace. Their continued advocacy and leadership serve as a testament to the importance of inclusivity in modern business.