Female representation in Asian PE drops in 2013, still leads other markets

Females occupy an average of 11.8% of senior positions in Asian firms, down from 12.8% in March 2013. This compares to 9.7% in Europe, 11% in North America and 10% in the rest of the world. The North America and rest of world figures represent an increase on 2013, while Europe, like Asia, is marginally down. The findings appeared in the 2014 edition of Preqin's global study of women in private equity.

On a global basis, female representation in buyout firms trails other strategies, although the share continues to rise, reaching 9% in 2014 compared to 8.7% and 6.9% in the two previous years. Real estate remains in front with women accounting for 12.8% of senior employees, up from 11.3% in 2013. Infrastructure, with 11.7%, has overtaken venture capital, on 11.2%, to take second spot.

These variations in strategy are reflected in female representation by private equity firm size, with large firms continuing to see an increase in the number of women in senior positions while at their smaller counterparts the proportion is decreasing.

At firms with more than 20 employees, women account for an average of 11.9%, the same as 2013, while firms with 11-20 employees saw the proportion jump from 10.7% to 11.5%. There was a marginal increase to 10.8% for firms with headcounts of 6-10. Female representation at firms with 1-5 employees continues to fall, dropping to 8.4% in 2014 from 8.7% the year before.

While strenuous work schedules, constant traveling and the general testosterone level in offices have been cited as reasons why women have instead gravitated toward other areas of finance, female industry participants say that the door is simply harder to open in private equity.

The uptick in representation at large firms might be attributed to more sophisticated and proactive human resources departments, as well as a broader-minded outlook among industry leaders.

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