The Davies Report
The Board has written to Lord Davies of Abersoch in response to his report entitled “Women on Boards” (the ‘Davies Report’). On behalf of the Board, BP’s Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg has written:
“The BP Board has considered your report on gender diversity and in particular your recommendations.
BP is a company with global reach. We believe that it is important to have a Board that is diverse in its widest sense, which includes not only women, but also people from different nationalities, races and backgrounds. BP recognises the importance of diversity at all levels of the company, including the Board. We are committed to increasing diversity across our operations and have in place a wide range of developmental activities to support the development and promotion of talented women. The company remains committed to meritocracy as well as to diversity.
BP is a company with global reach. We believe that it is important to have a Board that is diverse in its widest sense, which includes not only women, but also people from different nationalities, races and backgrounds. BP recognises the importance of diversity at all levels of the company, including the Board. We are committed to increasing diversity across our operations and have in place a wide range of developmental activities to support the development and promotion of talented women. The company remains committed to meritocracy as well as to diversity.
We support your initiative and that of the UK Government to increase gender diversity on the Boards and in the management teams of companies. You will know from our involvement in your work through Sally Bott, our former HR director, of the importance that we place on this.
Over the past two years the membership of the Board has changed significantly with six new Non-executive Directors. This has, in part, been due to natural rotation but also the need to respond to the challenges facing the Company.
It is our goal to increase the number of women on the Board by two by 2013. Further refreshment will be dependent on the normal rotation of Directors over time and will, as always, be focussed on the skills required and on merit. We will be mindful of your recommendations of 25% representation and will work towards that goal.”
Over the past two years the membership of the Board has changed significantly with six new Non-executive Directors. This has, in part, been due to natural rotation but also the need to respond to the challenges facing the Company.
It is our goal to increase the number of women on the Board by two by 2013. Further refreshment will be dependent on the normal rotation of Directors over time and will, as always, be focussed on the skills required and on merit. We will be mindful of your recommendations of 25% representation and will work towards that goal.”
