BANG ANALYTICS|The Glass ChairFinance 2035 · OneStream
Women CFO TSR: 4.5% avg annualised returnTSR vs benchmark: +0.2pp above industryTime to CFO: Women take 3 years longer than peersFTSE 100: Women take avg 20 years to reach CFO — 30% longerFuture CFO skills: 75% prioritise digital literacyNon-traditional paths: 35% of women CFOs vs 30% overallAI skills gap: 24% women vs 40% men expect to rely on AIAutomation enabler: 83% of women CFOs see AI unlocking new expertiseUnderperforming firms: +10% TSR improvement after appointing woman CFOUK uplift: 12.8% TSR improvement · Europe: 10.6% · USA: 7.3%Women CFO TSR: 4.5% avg annualised returnTSR vs benchmark: +0.2pp above industryTime to CFO: Women take 3 years longer than peersFTSE 100: Women take avg 20 years to reach CFO — 30% longerFuture CFO skills: 75% prioritise digital literacyNon-traditional paths: 35% of women CFOs vs 30% overallAI skills gap: 24% women vs 40% men expect to rely on AIAutomation enabler: 83% of women CFOs see AI unlocking new expertiseUnderperforming firms: +10% TSR improvement after appointing woman CFOUK uplift: 12.8% TSR improvement · Europe: 10.6% · USA: 7.3%
Global 500 & FTSE 100 · 2025 Study · 346 CFO profiles
23.4%
of CFOs are women globally
Companies led by women CFOs deliver an average annualised TSR of 4.5% — +0.2pp above industry benchmarks. Even underperforming firms improved TSR by an average of 10% after appointing a woman CFO.
346 LinkedIn profiles · 700 survey respondents · Cebr economic analysis
4.5%
Avg Ann. TSR — Women CFOs
+0.2pp vs benchmark
10%
TSR Uplift — Underperforming Firms
After appointing woman CFO
18 yrs
Median Yrs to CFO — Women (G500)
+3 yrs longer than peers
20 yrs
Median Yrs to CFO — Women (FTSE)
30% longer than peers
35%
Women CFOs via Non-Traditional Path
vs 30% overall
01Representation & Returns
02Routes to CFO
03Future Skills
04AI Opportunity
01REPRESENTATION & RETURNS
Women CFO share by index
% of CFO roles held by women
% Women CFOs
Avg Ann. TSR — Women CFOs by sector (%)
Relative to industry benchmarks
Annualised TSR %
TSR uplift after appointing women CFO (%)
Underperforming firms only — improvement vs prior CFO
TSR improvement %
02ROUTES TO CFO
Median years to CFO for women — by sector
Manufacturing is fastest; Healthcare & Life Sciences slowest
Women in senior finance — non-traditional backgrounds (%)
Backgrounds outside core financial controllership or corporate finance
03FUTURE-READY CFO SKILLS
Most valuable backgrounds for tomorrow's CFO
% of senior finance leaders who identify each as most valuable
Top skills identified as critical by women CFOs (%)
Skills women finance leaders say are important for the future role
04AI OPPORTUNITY
83
%
of women CFOs say automation is enabling different types of expertise to enter the CFO role
69
%
say automation of routine tasks is accelerating career development within finance teams
53
%
of women CFOs report tech integration has empowered them to drive business growth & profitability
AI skills gap — expect to rely significantly on AI tools (%)
A 16pp gap between women and men in AI adoption intent
Women
Men
Top 5 barriers on the path to CFO
- 01Economic downturns & org structure disruption
- 02Navigating complex organisational politics
- 03Lack of access to mentorship
- 04Skills gaps in the finance department
- 05Difficulties maintaining healthy work-life balance
Top 5 catalysts for progression
- 01Continuous professional development & accreditations
- 02Networking opportunities
- 03Transparent promotion processes
- 04Mentorship & sponsorship
- 05Technological advancements