North East England Cultural Observatory

Despite forming the bulk of the cultural sector workforce, women are still under-represented in leadership roles.  Of particular concern is the small number of women chairing boards which may limit women's influence in the sector's strategic decision-making process.

Research from City University London, in association with the think-tank Demos and with funding from the London Centre for Arts and Cultural Enterprise (LCACE), reveals that a glass ceiling is still in place in the industry, with only 28% of organisations surveyed having a female chair of the board, with museums and music organisations showing the least number of female boardroom chairs.