Winpe, a gender diversity-focused non-profit organisation, has launched its “Women on Boards” programme, a landmark initiative aimed at addressing the underrepresentation of women on corporate boards in India.
Supported by British International Investment (BII), the programme seeks to create a pipeline of board-ready women professionals and connect them with private equity and venture capital-backed companies.
The initiative is designed to increase both the demand and supply of women directors, ensuring that companies actively seek qualified female board members while simultaneously nurturing and preparing women for leadership roles.
The Need for Gender Diversity in Boardrooms
According to a 2023 EY report, as of 2022, women held only 18% of board seats in India, with nearly 600 companies having just one woman on their boards.
Despite regulatory mandates requiring companies to appoint at least one female director, the numbers remain far from satisfactory.
Winpe’s Women on Boards programme aims to move beyond compliance and foster true diversity, ensuring that women are appointed for their expertise, leadership, and strategic vision, rather than merely fulfilling legal requirements.
Winpe Programme Structure and Key Components
The Women on Boards initiative is structured to address both demand and supply challenges:
- Demand Side: Winpe has secured commitments from global and regional PE-VC firms and their portfolio companies to prioritize diverse board appointments. These firms recognize the value of diverse perspectives in boardroom discussions and are actively seeking qualified women directors.
- Supply Side: Winpe is focused on identifying and nurturing women who are ready to take on board roles. The programme will build a database of senior women professionals, including entrepreneurs, advisors, and senior functional leaders.
Key components of the programme include:
- Board of Advisors to guide the initiative.
- Training for first-time directors to prepare them for board responsibilities.
- Screening committee to assess candidates.
- Mentorship panel to provide leadership guidance.
- Knowledge sessions and peer networking to foster connections among women in corporate governance.
Strategic Support from British International Investment
Winpe has received support from British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, to develop the programme.
Under BII’s Technical Assistance facility, this partnership supports efforts to strengthen women’s leadership roles in India.
It reflects BII’s commitment to empowering women within the corporate ecosystem through structured initiatives.
BII’s report, “How do companies and funds with female owners and leaders support positive outcomes for women?”, highlights that gender-diverse-led businesses are more likely to implement inclusive workplace policies.
BII’s backing will enable Winpe to scale its efforts and expand the reach and impact of the programme.
Winpe Programme Leadership and Advisory Board
The Board of Advisors for the Women on Boards initiative includes seasoned professionals with extensive experience in corporate governance:
- Deepak Kapoor, Former Chairman and CEO, PwC India.
- M Damodaran, Chairperson, Excellence Enablers, and Ex-Chairman, SEBI.
- Naina Lal Kidwai, Former Chairperson, HSBC Group, and Padma Shri Awardee.
- Zia Mody, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, AZB & Partners.
These advisors will play a critical role in shaping the programme’s direction and strategic goals.
Their guidance will help support women leaders while driving meaningful change in boardrooms.
Note: We are also on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google News, and YouTube, to get the latest news updates. Subscribe to our Channels. WhatsApp– Click Here, Google News– Click Here, YouTube – Click Here, and LinkedIn– Click Here.
