Imperial College has joined the 30 per cent club as part of efforts to improve gender balance within the establishment.

Launched in the UK in 2010, the 30 per cent Club is a global programme that works to increase the representation of women on FTSE100 boards and governing bodies, to at least 30 per cent. It also aims to create better gender balance at all levels, from schoolroom to boardroom, and has opened up its membership to universities.

Currently women make up one quarter (25 per cent) of Imperial College’s governing body, Council. The figure is on a par with recommendations for FTSE100 boards to have a minimum of 26 per cent female members, but as the university strives to maintain its reputation as a world-class educational institution, advancing gender equality is a key priority, it says.

The news follows recent revelations from Times Higher Education 2015-2016 ranking, that only 15 per cent of UK universities have a female leader, including Alice Gast of Imperial College. On its website the organisation declares: “Imperial pledges to take all necessary action to create and maintain a level playing field for our academic women.”

The university has implemented various initiatives to support, promote and celebrate women at all levels and joining the 30 per cent Club signifies its commitment to that goal. With this move it will also have access to the Club’s schemes and pipeline development initiatives.

One area the two organisations will address is improving the representation of women on graduate management education and executive programmes.

Earlier this year, Imperial College Business School partnered with the Club to launch an Executive MBA scholarship programme for women. In addition to a pay-out from the university, recipients of the scholarship will receive a range of support from the Club, including a cross-company mentoring scheme and networking opportunities.

Diane Morgan, associate dean of Programmes at Imperial College Business School, said: “Joining the 30 per cent Club is another weapon in our fight for gender parity. Worldwide there is an under-representation of women pursuing postgraduate management education and this has a knock-on effect on the number of women who hold senior director roles within corporations.

“That’s why Imperial College Business School is investing in a suite of initiatives to support women with great academic and business potential. We are committed to gender parity on all of our programmes because we know that having more women in leadership roles will have a long-term positive impact on business.”

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