The Everyday Side of GTB Women Leadership
Women in Business 2026On International Women’s Day, GTB’s women leaders share insights on leadership, strong teams and the key competencies leaders need today.
Investing in gender equality is a proven driver of performance and a competitive advantage. This year’s Women in Business research shows that mid-market firms who are maintaining their gender equality initiatives and plan to implement new ones were the most likely to report significant growth in revenue and staff numbers. Investors are looking for gender-balanced leadership, or a commitment to achieving it, and employees view it as a reason to join or stay.
Despite many large organisations retreating from diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in 2024/25, [i] mid‑market leaders remain committed: 92.7% have DE&I initiatives in place, and three-quarters continue to prioritise gender equality. More than a third (36.8%) plan to introduce new measures. This commitment is grounded not in ideals, but in business pragmatism. Gender‑balanced leadership drives sharper decision‑making, strengthens innovation and accelerates growth. But, to unlock these benefits, leaders must invest visibly in female talent and clearly communicate the commercial value of diverse leadership.
The figures demonstrate that a positive stance on gender equality can clearly lead to increased performance and job creation in the economies in which these businesses operate.
Among businesses that are committed and plan to introduce new gender equality measures:
73.0%
grew their revenue
by more than 5%
56.2%
grew their staff levels
by more than 5%
48.8%
grew their exports
by more than 5%
Visibility matters
When women see leaders who look like them, they believe advancement is possible. When future talent sees gender equality embedded in strategy, they choose to join and stay. And when the data explicitly shows that firms investing in gender equality initiatives outperform their peers, the global economy benefits.
Yet the continuing conundrum is that change remains slow. Data from this year’s report shows a small drop of 1.1pp to 32.9% of women in senior management. We’ve seen the percentage reduce and bounce back in previous years, but neither businesses nor the women who work within them can afford a further drop.
Investing in gender diversity is investing in growth and we recommend businesses:
- Use impact to accelerate gender parity and business success
- Elevate diverse voices to advance gender parity
- Increase visibility to unlock opportunity and attract talent
Women in Business 2026 report
The global Grant Thornton Women in Business 2026 report clearly shows that companies with greater visibility and stronger gender balance in leadership achieve better results, attract the right talent, and build long‑term competitive advantages.
[i] Here are all the companies rolling back DEI programs [www.forbes.com]
Related Insights
Strengthening leadership: Newest Grant Thornton Baltic UAB Partner Inesa Greičė
LeadershipThe newest partner at Grant Thornton Baltic (GTB), Inesa Greičė, is not only a competent and technologically advanced specialist but also a true source of inspiration for the entire Grant Thornton Baltic Lithuania team, proving that success in one's professional path doesn't have to be waited for but can be created actively.
Women in Business 2025
Women in Business 2025The latest Grant Thornton International Women in Business report explores how gender balanced teams can bring better business performance and provides recommendations to accelerate action in this area.
