Research
Our cross-industry research uncovers the hidden barriers holding women back and reveals the opportunities for creating workplaces where they can thrive.
Whether you’re starting your journey or building on progress, our insights help you unlock potential, champion women’s leadership, and create workplaces where everyone benefits from true inclusion.
Women in Leadership
Our latest research ‘Women in Leadership: Strategies from FTSE 350 organisations leading the way’ reveals the practices, strategies, and leadership behaviours that have enabled a number of FTSE 350 organisations to make substantial progress in advancing female representation in leadership roles.
It was conducted in collaboration with the FTSE Women Leaders Review and the Chartered Management Institute, and sponsored by AlixPartners, Balance the Board, Grant Thornton UK, Leathwaite and PGIM.
The full 50-page research report which contains deep analysis and in-depth case studies from leading organisations is available to Encompass Equality member organisations. Membership gives you access to meaningful connections, peer knowledge, high-impact speakers for your events, cutting-edge insights and on-hand support - everything you need to stay ahead of the curve and make real change.
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Watch our research launch highlight reel, and Edward Haigh sheds light on what separates the FTSE 350 organisations leading the charge on gender parity from everyone else.
Research launch event highlight reel
Edward Haigh shares an overview of the research
“This piece of research offers us valuable insights into the drivers of change when it comes to achieving gender parity in the workplace. I commend the authors of this report and Encompass Equality for their thoughtful contribution to this discussion and for providing new thinking for leaders ambitious to realise their good intentions.”
Tamara Box, Chair, CMI Women
“The FTSE Women Leaders Review applauds the insights and experiences shared in this report as a valuable resource for all organisations, regardless of where they are on the path to becoming more inclusive and sustainable gender-balanced workplaces.”
Vivienne Artz OBE, Chief Executive, FTSE Women Leaders Review
Why Women Leave
Find out Why Women Leave and how gender influences retention
Our 2023 cross-industry research of over 4,000 women looked at the factors that impact women’s decisions on whether to stay with or leave their employer. The research was updated in 2024 to include new data from 1,400 men which revealed important differences between men and women in terms of the factors that influence their decisions about staying with their employer.
The clear message from the research is that the key to retention isn’t to fix women, it’s to fix organisations.
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Edward Haigh shares the key findings from our main research of 4,000 women, and the updated insights including data from 1,400 men.
“This is an incredibly insightful piece of research…this evidence demonstrates why we must continue to take concerted action if we are to address the persistent inequalities that are holding women back.”
Anthony Painter, Director of Policy and External Affairs, Chartered Management Institute
“Your research has been pivotal in shaping the foundation of our new Diversity & Inclusion strategy. We firmly believe in the power of data and evidence to guide and sharpen our efforts, and your report has provided us with the clarity to address critical challenges head-on.”
Lucy Kendall, Europe Head of Resourcing, Diversity & Inclusion, Laing O'Rourke
What our clients say about our research
Watch this video to hear about what our clients say about working with us on our research and the impact we have made.
Nina Goswami, Head of Inclusion UK, Clifford Chance LLP
Interested?
To find out more about how we can support you in creating better workplaces for women, and better workplaces for everyone, get in touch.