Latest news with #MarchingSheepInclusionIndex2025
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
India's most diverse companies deliver 50% higher profits, says study
With more and more companies prioritising inclusivity, a study has revealed that the most diverse companies delivered 50 per cent higher net profit compared with less diverse counterparts. ADVERTISEMENT Around 8 out of 10 industries studied showed a positive relationship between the presence of women and profit after tax (PAT) as most diverse companies delivered 50 per cent higher net profit than their less diverse counterparts, according to HR advisory firm Marching Sheep's 'Marching Sheep Inclusion Index 2025' study. This annual study, conducted by HR advisory firm Marching Sheep's research and analytics wing, analysed data from 840 listed companies across 30 industries, including Manufacturing, Steel, BFSI, Pharma, FMCG, Infrastructure, and IT. The study further revealed that India Inc is still far from being truly inclusive, especially at the top level. While women's representation on boards exists owing to statutory mandates, their key managerial positions remained abysmally low, it stated. Over 63.45 per cent of organisations had zero women in key managerial positions (KMPs), the study revealed. ADVERTISEMENT Further, it found that India Inc employs only 22 per cent women, compared to the 28 per cent reported in the Periodic Urban Labour Force Survey 2023-24, a clear 6 percentage point gap. "We don't just need more women in the room; we need them at the table, influencing decisions and shaping strategy," Marching Sheep Founder and Managing Partner Sonica Aron said. ADVERTISEMENT She said true inclusion isn't about counting numbers but about redistributing power. "And that shift is still absent. Inclusion is about access, authority, and accountability," she added.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Diverse firms earn 50% more profit but inclusion gaps persist, finds study
As more businesses focus on inclusivity, a new study shows that the most diverse companies report 50 per cent higher net profit compared to those with less diversity. According to HR advisory firm Marching Sheep's Marching Sheep Inclusion Index 2025, about eight out of 10 industries analysed showed a positive link between having more women in the workforce and stronger profit after tax (PAT). The annual report, carried out by Marching Sheep's research and analytics team, looked at data from 840 listed companies across 30 sectors. These included manufacturing, steel, banking and financial services (BFSI), pharmaceuticals, FMCG, infrastructure and information technology. Lack of inclusion at senior levels Despite some progress, the study found that India Inc is still a long way from being truly inclusive, especially in leadership roles. The study also found that women make up just 22 per cent of employees in corporate India, significantly lower than the 28 per cent reported in the Periodic Urban Labour Force Survey 2023–24 —a gap of six percentage points. Inclusion must go beyond numbers Marching Sheep's founder and managing partner, Sonica Aron, stressed the importance of women having real influence in organisations. 'We don't just need more women in the room; we need them at the table, influencing decisions and shaping strategy,' she said. She emphasised that real inclusion is not about ticking boxes but about rebalancing who holds power. 'And that shift is still absent. Inclusion is about access, authority and accountability,' she added.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India's most diverse companies deliver 50% higher profits, says study
With more and more companies prioritising inclusivity, a study has revealed that the most diverse companies delivered 50 per cent higher net profit compared with less diverse counterparts. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads With more and more companies prioritising inclusivity, a study has revealed that the most diverse companies delivered 50 per cent higher net profit compared with less diverse 8 out of 10 industries studied showed a positive relationship between the presence of women and profit after tax (PAT) as most diverse companies delivered 50 per cent higher net profit than their less diverse counterparts, according to HR advisory firm Marching Sheep's ' Marching Sheep Inclusion Index 2025 ' annual study, conducted by HR advisory firm Marching Sheep's research and analytics wing, analysed data from 840 listed companies across 30 industries, including Manufacturing, Steel, BFSI, Pharma, FMCG, Infrastructure, and study further revealed that India Inc is still far from being truly inclusive, especially at the top women's representation on boards exists owing to statutory mandates, their key managerial positions remained abysmally low, it 63.45 per cent of organisations had zero women in key managerial positions (KMPs), the study it found that India Inc employs only 22 per cent women, compared to the 28 per cent reported in the Periodic Urban Labour Force Survey 2023-24, a clear 6 percentage point gap."We don't just need more women in the room; we need them at the table, influencing decisions and shaping strategy," Marching Sheep Founder and Managing Partner Sonica Aron said true inclusion isn't about counting numbers but about redistributing power."And that shift is still absent. Inclusion is about access, authority, and accountability," she added.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Corporate diversity: India's most inclusive firms post 50% higher profits, says study; flags poor women representation in top roles
AI image Companies that rank highest on diversity are delivering a clear financial edge, with a new study showing that inclusive firms recorded nearly 50% more profit after tax (PAT) than their less diverse peers. According to the 'Marching Sheep Inclusion Index 2025', a study conducted by HR advisory firm Marching Sheep, around 8 out of 10 sectors showed a strong link between the presence of women in organisations and higher profitability, PTI reported. The data was drawn from 840 listed companies across 30 sectors including manufacturing, steel, BFSI, pharma, FMCG, infrastructure and IT. But even as inclusivity becomes a corporate buzzword, women remain significantly under-represented at the top. Over 63.45% of companies had no women in key managerial positions, the study found. Further, women account for just 22% of the total workforce in India Inc, a 6 percentage point gap from the 28% reported in the Periodic Urban Labour Force Survey 2023-24. 'We don't just need more women in the room; we need them at the table, influencing decisions and shaping strategy,' said Marching Sheep Founder and Managing Partner Sonica Aron. She added, 'True inclusion isn't about counting numbers but about redistributing power. And that shift is still absent. Inclusion is about access, authority, and accountability.' Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Indian firms with more women see higher returns, yet 63% have no women in key roles
Corporate gender diversity has become a defining factor in business performance, yet Indian companies remain reluctant to embrace women in leadership roles despite compelling financial evidence. A comprehensive analysis of 840 listed companies reveals a stark contradiction. Organisations with women on their boards and executive teams generate significantly higher profits, yet nearly two-thirds operate without any women in key managerial positions. This paradox has emerged at a critical juncture for Indian businesses, as global competition intensifies and markets demand greater agility from corporate leaders. The Marching Sheep Inclusion Index 2025 found that companies with greater female representation report profit margins 20-50% higher than their male-dominated counterparts, depending on the sector. 8 out of 10 industries examined showed this positive correlation between women's leadership presence and financial performance. The study's scope encompasses major economic drivers including manufacturing, steel production, banking and financial services, pharmaceuticals, information technology, consumer goods, and infrastructure development. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Financial incentives not enough for representation Despite clear evidence that gender-diverse companies perform better financially, the report finds that monetary gains alone have not driven meaningful inclusion. While firms with more women in leadership report up to 50% higher profit margins, 63.45% of Indian companies still have no women in key managerial roles, indicating that business incentives are not translating into disparity persists even as statutory requirements under the Companies Act 2013 have improved board-level representation. The research, conducted by HR advisory firm Marching Sheep's analytics division, represents one of the most extensive mappings of gender inclusion in Indian corporate structures to date. The study, spanning 30 sectors from manufacturing to pharmaceuticals, reveals what researchers term an "hourglass pattern" in gender distribution. Women appear at entry levels and reappear at board level, but vanish from middle management, precisely where succession planning and operational decisions take shape. Women constitute just 22% of India's corporate workforce, trailing behind the 28% female participation rate in urban employment recorded in the Periodic Urban Labour Force Survey 2023-24. Women in key roles giving firms a strategic edge The financial benefits align with global research demonstrating that diverse teams deliver superior risk management and innovation. In India's competitive economic environment, this translates into measurable returns that position gender diversity as a strategic necessity rather than mere compliance. Companies across manufacturing, banking, pharmaceuticals, and technology sectors consistently demonstrated this performance advantage when women occupied senior positions. Societal barriers are too strong to easily budge The research identifies systemic obstacles preventing women from ascending to decision-making roles. Cultural expectations, inadequate succession planning, and workplace structures that penalise career breaks continue to thin the pipeline of female talent. Many organisations treat diversity initiatives as compliance exercises rather than strategic imperatives, failing to address fundamental structural barriers that limit women's career progression. The findings suggest that current progress remains superficial, with many organisations treating diversity as a tick-box exercise rather than integrating it into core business strategy. Change can be brought with conscious effort Industry observers note that sustainable change requires embedding inclusion into performance metrics and accountability structures. This includes equitable hiring practices, targeted leadership development programmes, and workplace cultures that support retention. As digital transformation reshapes business priorities, the data suggests that companies excluding women from leadership positions may be undermining their own competitive positioning. The challenge lies in translating these compelling statistics into systematic organisational change across Indian industry. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
