United Kingdom
Department for Business and Trade — export control
Governance & Accountability
✓ 14 claims
2 hrs ago
UK updates voluntary code for executive search firms on board diversity
This briefing covers a minor but notable update to the UK's voluntary code of conduct for executive search firms, which governs how search firms run board-level hiring processes. The code underpins gender diversity targets on UK boards and has just been amended twice in under a year.
- The code of conduct was last amended on 28 October 2026 to remove 'FTSE' from references to the Women Business Leaders Review.
- A 5 January 2026 update revised the introduction, provisions 1, 2 and 5, and the 'embedding and developing the code' section.
- The code has set a longlist target of 40% since an update made on 16 March 2021.
- Around 100 executive search firms have signed the code, which the department says cover the vast majority of UK board work.
- The code originates from the 2011 Davies Review and was last substantively republished on 15 November 2017.