Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018: Scottish Ministers' Report to Parliament 2025

Foreword

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice

I am pleased to introduce the Scottish Ministers’ third report to the Scottish Parliament on the operation of the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018 (the “2018 Act”).

Scotland has long recognised the importance of diversity across all aspects of life, and particularly in public service. When our Public Body Boards are representative of Scotland’s communities they are best equipped to make decisions that improve the lives of all. It is a collective effort, through legislation, targeted initiatives and the commitment of individuals to step forward to serve that is helping us to see the change that will benefit our communities.

Since the time of the last report, the Scottish Cabinet, the main decision-making body of the Scottish Government, made up of the First Minister and Cabinet Secretaries, has increased its number of women from 6 to 7, with 3 men^[1]. Following the 2024 Election and subsequent by-elections, the number of MPs who are women has increased to 264 from 225, equating to 40%^[2].

The 2018 Act is intended to improve women’s representation on the boards of listed public authorities in Scotland, using additional powers conferred on the Scottish Parliament by the Scotland Act 2016. This report shows that as at 31 December 2024, 88 of 143 (62%) of Boards had met the GRO, an increase of 3 percentage points since the last report.

The listed public authorities covered by the 2018 Act carry out a variety of functions and have responsibilities of significant national interest to the people of Scotland. They include regional and special health boards, a range of non-departmental public bodies and agencies, and the boards of higher education institutions and colleges.

This report helps us celebrate the progress we have made in some areas, but also serves as a loud call to action. We must continue to work together to achieve greater diversity on our boards to drive the change we all want and need to see for communities across Scotland.