Sexism in business getting worse, says top boss
SEXISM is still an issue, says the chief executive of FTSE 100 financial giant Aviva following remarks made towards her by shareholder’s at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) last week.
Amanda Blanc, pictured, originally from Treherbert, said she is still used to “sexist” and “derogatory” comments made towards herself in companies and boardrooms over her 30-plus year career.
According to the Financial Times, shareholders subjected female board members, including Ms Blanc, to sexist and inappropriate comments during the company’s in-person AGM on Monday, May 9.
One investor suggested Ms Blanc - who became the insurer’s first CEO when she was appointed in July 2020 - was “not the man for the job” after she highlighted returns to shareholders were at odds with Aviva’s share price performance over the last 10 years.
Another shareholder asked whether Blanc should be “wearing trousers”.
A third smaller investor, after congratulating the board for its high levels of gender diversity, reportedly said: “They are so good at basic housekeeping activities, I’m sure this will be reflected in the direction of the board in future.”
Posting on LinkedIn after the AGM, Ms Blanc said: “In all honesty, after 30+ years in financial services I am pretty used to sexist and derogatory comments like those in the AGM.
“Sadly, just like many many other women in business, I’ve picked up my fair share of misogynistic scars whilst travelling on my journey through various companies and boardrooms until arriving at Aviva. We all have our own stories.
“I guess that after you have heard the same prejudicial rhetoric for so long though, it makes you a little immune to it all.
“I would like to tell you that things have got better in recent years but it’s fair to say that it has actually increased.”
The “inappropriate” comments made at the AGM prompted Aviva chair, George Culmer, to call out the remarks during the meeting’s conclusion.
He reportedly said: “I’m not going to say thank you to everyone for your comments, because I think there were some comments in that session that were simply inappropriate and I do not expect and would not want to hear at any future AGM. I’m flabbergasted, to be honest.”