The Parker Review: History, Mission, and Evolving Diversity Targets in UK Business

The Parker Review is an independent committee in the United Kingdom. It consults on and tracks the ethnic diversity of corporate boards and leadership teams. The committee helps UK businesses build inclusive leadership. This blog explores the history, aims, and latest 2026 findings of this vital organization.

How the Parker Review Was Founded

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy commissioned the committee in 2015. The group consults on the ethnic diversity of British corporate boards. David Tyler chairs the committee and EY sponsors its work.

The first official report came out in 2017. This report made key recommendations to improve corporate leadership. It laid the foundation for tracking diversity across the largest companies in the country.

Our Core Aims and Mission

The committee set a clear goal called the One by 2021 target. This required all FTSE 100 boards to appoint at least one ethnic minority director by December 2021. The committee also set a One by 2024 target for FTSE 250 boards.

In 2023, the review added new targets for senior management teams. It also expanded its focus to include 50 of the largest private companies in the UK. This voluntary census (the review does not use legal mandates) relies on corporate cooperation to gather accurate data.

Record Successes in the Latest 2026 Board Statistics

The March 2026 annual report shows that overall representation is at a record high. Today, 98 percent of FTSE 100 companies have at least one ethnic minority director. This is a major jump from only 52 percent in 2019. Ethnic minority directors now hold 20 percent of all FTSE 100 board positions.

There are now 14 ethnic minority Chief Executive Officers leading FTSE 100 firms. Additionally, there are 9 Chief Financial Officers from ethnic minority backgrounds. The FTSE 250 also shows progress. About 82 percent of FTSE 250 companies met the target by the end of 2025.

The Deepening Gap for Black Professionals

However, the latest data reveals that progress is not equal for everyone. Progress for Black professionals is actually slowing down. Black directorships in the FTSE 100 fell to 2.3 percent from 2.4 percent last year.

In the FTSE 250, Black representation on boards dropped from 2.5 percent to 2.1 percent.

The gap in senior management is even wider. Black senior managers hold only 1.3 percent of FTSE 100 senior roles. This is down from 1.5 percent in the previous year. This drop is concerning because Black people make up 3.9 percent of the UK working age population.

We also see clear gaps when looking at gender. For instance, none of the 14 ethnic minority Chief Executive Officers in the FTSE 100 are women. This shows that businesses must focus on both gender and ethnicity together.

The Strategic Case for Corporate Inclusion

Diversity alone does not guarantee success. True business performance is opened when companies practice inclusion. A recent survey reveals a major perception gap in corporate UK. About 98 percent of leaders believe they lead inclusively. Yet only half of ethnic minority employees agree with that statement.

UK demographics are shifting rapidly. Ethnic minorities represent 27 percent of the UK population under 18 years old. By 2051, they will make up a quarter of the working age population. UK businesses must act now to build strong pipelines for diverse talent.

Key Takeaways

• FTSE 100 Boards: About 98 percent of companies have at least one ethnic minority director.

• FTSE 250 Boards: About 82 percent of companies have met the target.

• Black Leadership: Representation has declined slightly to 2.3 percent on FTSE 100 boards.

• Private Sector: Only 42 percent of the 50 largest private companies meet the target.

• The Demographics: By 2051, ethnic minorities will represent 25 percent of the working age population.

• 
  

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the main goal of the Parker Review?

The main goal is to improve ethnic diversity in UK business leadership. The review sets voluntary targets to encourage boards and senior management teams to hire diverse talent.

How does the Parker Review collect its data?

The review collects data through a voluntary annual census. Companies' self-report the ethnic makeup of their boards and senior management teams.

Why did the Parker Review expand to private companies?

Private companies play a massive role in the UK economy. Expanding the targets to the largest private firms ensures that diversity standards apply across all major businesses.