David Tyler, former chair of Sainsbury’s and Hammerson and current head of The Parker Review, told the FT that demographic change will naturally reduce white male board representation. He argued that complaints about diversity targets mask a deeper need for hiring justification, and that a shift in society will lower white‑male seats.

The review shows ethnic‑minority executives now occupy a record 20% of FTSE 100 board seats and 16% of FTSE 250 boards, up from 12% in 2019. In 2025, 14 chief executives, eight chairs and nine CFOs were from minority backgrounds, including leaders at Barclays, Shell and Unilever.

Women now outnumber men in