New data shows shortage of non-executive directors in construction

Online recruitment platform NonExecutiveDirectors.com has revealed a shortage of non-executive directors within the construction industry.

Despite the sector having the skills, only 2% of the website’s 6000-strong database are classed as working in, or having worked in construction.

CEO of NonExecutiveDirectors.com, Matthew Roberts, said:  “We want more people from this sector to sign up.  Perhaps they think they don’t have the skills required for a non-executive director, but being on a board is very much about the behaviours and attributes they display like confidence, self-control and the ability to challenge or support.”

According to the NonExecutiveDirectors.com database, a typical NED is a 57 year old male based in the South East of England, with 14 years’ experience as an executive. 

Roberts continues:  “We want to explode the myth that boards should look this way – they should have a diverse range of people on them from a variety of sectors, age groups, life experiences etc.”

The areas from which there are the highest number of candidates putting themselves forward for NED roles are publishing and media (19%), charity/not for profit (13%), greentech/cleantech (13%) and the NonExecutiveDirectors.com platform has a split of private (26%), public (46%) and charity (28%) sector breakdown. 

From 4819 male and 1065 female members – a mere 18% are women, despite the fact that boards would benefit hugely from their ability to bring different perspectives.

Roberts concludes:  “The gist of the feedback we’ve been given is that females still have a perception of ‘cronyism’ and boardroom politics at this level, and that many intermediaries helping find non-exec positions are also male, which they can find off-putting.  An online platform, helping to cut out the middle man, can help eradicate this and provide a space in which females feel comfortable to apply.  It will go some way to helping to level out these discrepancies.”

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