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Economic Times
10-07-2025
- 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
10-07-2025
- 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
10-07-2025
- 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
10-07-2025
- 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
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Women in leadership boost profits, but most Indian companies still lag in inclusion: Report
While gender diversity in corporate India has improved in some areas, a new report shows that true inclusion still has a long way to go. The Marching Sheep Inclusion Index 2025, which studied 840 listed companies across 30 sectors, found that companies with more women in leadership positions delivered 50% higher profit after tax (PAT). However, the data also shows that women remain underrepresented in key decision-making roles. Leadership diversity linked to better financial performance The report includes companies from sectors such as steel, pharma, BFSI, FMCG, and IT. It found that organisations with higher gender diversity at leadership levels tend to perform better financially. This, the report says, confirms that inclusion is not just the right thing to do, it also makes business sense. The study brings out clear signs of progress, including improved hiring and compliance-driven board-level diversity. But it also highlights the need to strengthen internal systems that help women grow into leadership roles. Most companies lack women in key roles One of the report's main findings is that 63.45% of the surveyed companies had no women in Key Managerial Positions (KMPs). Women make up only 22% of the total workforce in these companies, a figure lower than the 28% recorded in the Periodic Urban Labour Force Survey (2023–24). While women are well represented at entry level and have some presence on boards, the middle management layer, critical for building future leaders, remains thin. The report refers to this pattern as an 'hourglass effect,' showing a sharp drop in representation at mid-career levels. Live Events This gap suggests that while hiring practices have improved, companies may lack strong policies to support career advancement and retention for women. Inclusion must be structural, not symbolic Sonica Aron, Founder and Managing Partner of Marching Sheep, said: 'We don't just need more women in the room; we need them at the table, influencing decisions and shaping strategy,' she said. She added that inclusion must go beyond representation. 'The business case is closed. The call to action is urgent; listen deeply, act decisively, and reimagine leadership to reflect the world we actually live in,' she said. The report also stresses that gender diversity helps build organisational resilience. It says inclusion should not be treated as a box-ticking exercise under CSR but seen as a core value. Without addressing internal systems of access, power, and accountability, the report warns, efforts toward inclusion may remain surface-level.
