is better represented. There remains limited The pattern of cultural representation within cultural diversity that appears in the the cohort of chief executives and leadership pipeline, as demonstrated by our equivalents broadly tracks that of the total findings regarding non-chief executive senior group of leaders. 2490 senior leaders in this study. The level of Getting serious about the issue demands non-European background representation, however, is substantially lower (2.7 per cent that leaders and organisations take compared to 4.7 per cent). There is a committed action in three areas: leadership, combined total of 11 chief executives who systems and culture. We reiterate the general guidance outlined in Leading for have a non- European or Indigenous Change (2016), which can be summarised background or – as below. 3.0 per cent of the total 372 chief executives. Put another way, 97 per cent of chief There is one general area where efforts executives have an Anglo-Celtic or European can be strengthened on cultural diversity. background. This is a dismal statistic for a The society that prides itself on its multiculturalism. experience of gender equality has It egalitarian self-image. demonstrated the power of having data and challenges Australia’s reporting on gender. If we are committed to It also challenges Australia as a nation whose deepening our success as a multicultural prosperity relies upon international trade, capital inflows and mobility of people. society, there must be consideration of official collection and reporting of comprehensive data It would be complacent to believe that it will on cultural diversity within Australian only be a matter of time before cultural organisations and institutions. diversity Cultural Backgrounds of Chief Executives and equivalents Percentage of Percentage of Percentage over/under- senior leaders Australian population representation (+/-) Cultural background Number Anglo-Celtic 286 76.9 58 +18.9 European 75 20.1 18 +2.1 Non-European 10 2.7 21 -18.3 Indigenous 1 0.3 3 -2.7 Total 372 02
The pattern of cultural representation within the cohort of chief executives and equivalents broadly tracks that of the total group of 2490 senior leaders in this study. The level of non-European background representation, however, is substantially lower (2.7 per cent compared to 4.7 per cent). There is a combined total of 11 chief executives who have a non- European or Indigenous background – or 3.0 per cent of the total 372 chief executives. Put another way, 97 per cent of chief executives have an Anglo-Celtic or European background. This is a dismal statistic for a society that prides itself on its multiculturalism. It challenges Australia’s egalitarian self-image. It also challenges Australia as a nation whose prosperity relies upon international trade, capital inflows and mobility of people. It would be complacent to believe that it will only be a matter of time before cultural diversity is better represented. There remains limited cultural diversity that appears in the leadership pipeline, as demonstrated by our findings regarding non-chief executive senior leaders. Getting serious about the issue demands that leaders and organisations take committed action in three areas: leadership, systems and culture. We reiterate the general guidance outlined in Leading for Change (2016), which can be summarised as below. There is one general area where efforts can be strengthened on cultural diversity. The experience of gender equality has demonstrated the power of having data and reporting on gender. If we are committed to deepening our success as a multicultural society, there must be consideration of official collection and reporting of comprehensive data on cultural diversity within Australian organisations and institutions. Cultural Backgrounds of Chief Executives and equivalents Cultural background Number Percentage of senior leaders Percentage of Australian population Percentage over/under- representation (+/-) Anglo-Celtic 286 76.9 58 +18.9 European 75 20.1 18 +2.1 Non-European 10 2.7 21 -18.3 Indigenous 1 0.3 3 -2.7 Total 372 02