As UK firms shun all-male boards, orthodox Jewish owners still a roadblock

All-male boards at the U.K.’s biggest companies are nearing extinction, a sign that government efforts to increase gender parity are paying off.

Just five companies in the FTSE 350 Index have no women at the top table, down from eight in 2017, according to data from the annual Hampton-Alexander Review that will be released in full Tuesday. The number has fallen dramatically since 2011 when 152 boards were men-only.

Those bucking the trend include hospitality group Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Plc, property business Daejan Holdings Plc and two investment trusts. Daejan cited its orthodox Jewish owners as the reason for