New Delhi: Winpe, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting gender diversity, has launched its flagship initiative, the ‘Women on Boards’ programme to address the lack of women representation in corporate boardrooms particularly in companies backed by private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC). With support from British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution, the initiative aims to build a robust pipeline of board-ready women professionals and place them in leadership positions.

The programme adopts a dual approach by increasing both the supply and demand of women directors. On the demand side, Winpe has received pledges from global and regional PE-VC firms and their portfolio companies to prioritise board diversity. On the supply side, it is curating a talent pool of senior women professionals including entrepreneurs, advisors, and functional leaders—offering them mentorship, training, and networking opportunities. It will also establish a screening committee and organise peer learning sessions for women currently on boards.

As per a 2023 EY report, women held just 18% of board seats in India as of 2022, and nearly 600 companies had only one woman on their boards. Addressing this, Winpe’s Founder Nupur Garg emphasized the need for real inclusion, stating that “true diversity begins when women hold equal seats at the table for their expertise, not just to meet legal obligations.”

The initiative is supported under BII’s Technical Assistance Facility, which aligns with its commitment to supporting women in leadership roles. BII’s research has shown that gender-diverse companies are more likely to create inclusive and high-performing workplaces.

Shilpa Kumar, BII’s India Head, highlighted that the partnership with Winpe aims to remove systemic barriers and enable long-term value creation by supporting women across the PE-VC ecosystem.

The programme is guided by a high-powered Board of Advisors that includes:

  • Deepak Kapoor, Former Chairman and CEO, PwC India
  • M. Damodaran, Chairperson, Excellence Enablers & Former SEBI Chairman
  • Naina Lal Kidwai, Former HSBC India Chairperson & Padma Shri Awardee
  • Zia Mody, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, AZB & Partners

With this initiative, Winpe envisions transforming boardrooms into more inclusive and effective spaces by empowering women to lead and driving gender-balanced governance across India’s investment landscape.

(Input-Agency)