Action needs to be taken to reverse recent decline in women securing leadership roles in Irish business
Despite making up almost half of the workforce, women continue to be underrepresented in senior ranks across the country.
This confirms what many working women in Ireland already know through experience. Progress has hit a speed bump. The question is: Why?
Our LinkedIn data shows that this reverse in progress isn't confined to Ireland. Globally, the share of women securing leadership positions has dropped for three consecutive years. While this was the first year where a decline was recorded in Ireland, it's the scale of the drop that should sound alarm bells.
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Ireland still sits marginally above the global median, with women accounting for 34.5 per cent of senior hires compared to 33 per cent globally, but the rate of contraction here last year was stark. Despite years of policymaking, advocacy and increased public scrutiny, the odds are still stacked against women due to structural barriers and systemic biases that block their progression.
Those barriers manifest very starkly when we look at the scale of the 'drop-to-the-top' for women in Ireland. At entry level, there is gender parity with men and women holding half of the roles.
But women hold just over one third of director-level roles and by the time we get to the C-Suite, female representation has plummeted to one-fifth. In short, there is a staggering 60 per cent drop-off in female representation in the Irish workforce from when women first enter the workforce to those that reach executive level.
The structural imbalance in the workforce is a challenge that requires even more focus, as AI is driving the fifth industrial revolution in the global economy. The risk is that, if women are left behind as artificial intelligence reshapes industries, the gender divide will become even more entrenched.
We need to act now. There are challenges, but it is also a moment of opportunity. LinkedIn's analysis of what it will take to be a leader in an AI-transformed economy is that it will not be executives with linear, traditional career trajectories. Instead, leadership will increasingly favour individuals with broad, cross-functional experience. And it's women who are more likely to have such multidomain experience.
In Ireland, Women are up to 21 per cent more likely than men to bring varied, cross-industry experience to the table, often the result of career pivots. What has at times been seen as a liability, with career journeys potentially shaped by taking time out or flexible work arrangements for caring responsibilities, is now a potential source of strength. That's because agility, empathy, collaboration and the ability to navigate change in spades will be the trademarks of tomorrow's leaders.
There are two clear actions that would make a big difference to solving this problem.
First, we need to change how we hire. A shift by employers to skills-based hiring, whereby recruiters focus on candidates' abilities over previous titles, allowing them to tap into broader talent pools and ensure better alignment with evolving job demands. Our analysis shows that if employers adopted this approach, they could more than quadruple the talent pool for women in Ireland. Such a shift would not only benefit women, but also help businesses fill skills gaps in what is a very tight market for talent in Ireland at present.
Secondly, we should not take a backwards step on flexible work. Women are more likely to be double-jobbing even though they may hold similar positions to their male counterparts. Hybrid work has proved to be a game-changer in giving workers the flexibility to manage their personal and professional responsibilities. We also need to collectively create a workplace culture where there is a better acceptance of parental leave for both men and women.
Closing the gender leadership gap in Ireland is not only the right thing to do; it's the smart thing to do. Study after study has shown that companies with greater gender diversity in leadership outperform their peers on profitability, innovation and decision-making.
When women are equitably represented at the top, organisations benefit from a wider range of perspectives, more inclusive workplace cultures and stronger employee engagement. In a rapidly evolving economic landscape shaped by AI, digitisation and geopolitical volatility, these attributes are not nice-to-haves, they are business essentials.
Ireland cannot afford to leave talent on the table. With skills shortages intensifying across sectors, failing to tap into the full potential of the workforce is economically self-defeating. As our data shows, women bring precisely the kind of cross-functional, adaptive expertise that tomorrow's leaders will require. By embracing inclusive hiring practices, investing in leadership development and removing systemic barriers, Ireland can unlock a deeper, more resilient talent pool that enhances national competitiveness and future-proofs the economy.
Ultimately, achieving gender-balanced leadership is not about ticking a box, it's about building a stronger, more dynamic Ireland. The next wave of economic growth will come from diverse, agile and forward-thinking leaders that reflect the richness of society today.
That's why we must get to grips with the gender gap in leadership and ensure that we are maximising the full potential of our entire workforce.
Sue Duke is vice-president of global public policy
at LinkedIn
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Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, August 2nd: On Metro and St Stephen's Green, roads policing and Daniel O'Connell's stamp
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A metro station at the current shopping centre could serve as a fitting gateway to the city centre without compromising one of our most treasured parks. READ MORE Is it not time for some joined-up thinking? – Yours, etc, EOIN BLACKLOCK, CEO, Ekco, Malahide, Co Dublin. Sir, – Now that An Coimisiún Pleanála has turned down a plan to redevelop St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre perhaps the Government should acquire the site by way of compulsory purchase order for the proposed metro station and leave the Green undisturbed. Shops and restaurants could and should also be part of any new redevelopment. – Yours, etc, CIARAN CLANCY, Booterstown, Co Dublin. Trump and Rosie O'Donnell Sir, – Rosie O'Donnell's distaste and 'loathing' for Donal Trump as depicted in her show Common Knowledge elicits some sympathy for the US president in the letter of Paddy Fitzpatrick (July 31st) who advises 'always be kinder than is necessary'. 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(' Parents face fee rise after Dublin childcare provider pulls out of 'deeply flawed' core funding model ,' July 30th). They must actively listen to the urgent concerns of both providers and parents on this critical issue. As a parent whose children happily attend a wonderful crèche with dedicated staff, I fully support my childcare provider's difficult decision to opt out of core funding. Why would childcare providers turn down substantial funding unless the current system is fundamentally flawed? Core funding imposes an immense administrative burden on providers and fails to adequately cover rising operational costs, particularly staffing. Furthermore, it offers no increased funding for crèches supporting children with additional needs or those that have made significant capital investments in their facilities. I urge the Minister to prioritise quality childcare and reform core funding without delay. – Yours, etc, DR MELISSA O'NEILL, Glounthaune, Co Cork. Garda roads policing Sir – The Garda Commissioner has given a forthright and honest response to the problem of uninterested gardaí, but I wonder whether other organisations share the problem of dedicated and committed staff having to carry their disengaged peers? (' Shocking: Some roads policing gardaí 'openly hostile' towards doing their jobs, review finds ,' July 31st). Have other taxpayer-funded organisations implemented effective performance management? It would be interesting to know. – Yours etc. SEAN RYAN, Mountshannon, Co Clare. Sir, – Over the past few years I've noticed more and more cars with 'non standard' and 'decorative' (ie illegal) registration plates. These are clearly designed to be unreadable by speed and toll cameras, and yet they proliferate, which surely wouldn't happen if we had effective roads policing. While the recent Crowe report on challenges within the roads department of An Garda Siochána is alarming, it should be a spur to positive action. 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The 42
3 hours ago
- The 42
Thurles racecourse announces closure with immediate effect
THURLES RACECOURSE HAS closed with immediate effect and fixtures which had been scheduled for later in the year will not go ahead. The first ever recorded race-meeting at Thurles took place in 1732 and it has been in the hands of the Molony family since the early 1900s. Riona Molony announced the closure in a statement this morning. She thanked the 'extended racecourse family', such as staff, sponsors, the racing community, local businesses, and racegoers for their support. 'It has been an honour and a privilege for our family to have run Thurles Racecourse, and I am officially announcing our retirement today,' said Riona Molony. She said she is 'very proud of the immense contribution our family has made to racing' and remarked that 'horse-racing is part of the fabric of our family'. Advertisement 'My family and I look forward to going racing with you again, as spectators,' she added. The parade ring at Thurles Racecourse Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Her late husband Pierce Molony, who died in 2015, took over the running of the Co Tipperary racecourse from his father Dr Paddy Molony in 1974. 'Since my beloved husband Pierce passed away, with the help of our four daughters Patricia, Helen, Ann Marie and Kate and our wonderful staff, we've managed to keep the show on the road and I know he would be very proud of us for that,' said Riona. She added: 'The girls all have their own families, careers and lives to live. 'Ever increasing industry demands and the cost of doing business has also been a major factor.' Thurles Racecourse is fully licenced to race until 31 December and has 11 prominent fixtures scheduled for the 2025/26 racing calendar. However, these meetings will not go ahead. Riona added: 'We're going to enjoy this time together and relax now the decision is made and the news is out before we consider our options.' 'Surprise to everyone in the industry' The CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, Suzanne Eade, described Thurles Racecourse as a 'cornerstone of the National Hunt programme in Ireland during the winter months'. She said today's announcement 'was a surprise to everyone in the industry'. However, she added that the announcement must have been a 'hugely difficult one' and that she 'respects their decision to take a step back from running racing at Thurles'. Eade remarked that Pierce Molony 'contributed significantly to the Irish racing industry for many years and the Molony family, led by Riona, certainly stepped up following his untimely passing' The Horse Racing Ireland CEO added that she will be seeking a meeting with the Molony family in the near future to discuss their position.
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Presidential election winner in line for increased election expenses refund of up to €250,000
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