What we think
This is where you can peer into our minds and learn a bit more about us as recruiters, consultants and humans. Expect plenty of insight into Consumer, Retail, Recruitment, and life in our Leeds and London spaces. Some tips from the top and the odd guest appearance. Enjoy and please feel free to leave us a comment!
Female Talent Is On The Rise In FMCG!
11th February 2026
The FMCG sector is seeing a noticeable shift in talent. Over the last two years, our placement data shows that female talent is on the rise in FMCG. While this is a positive trend overall, progress into senior leadership positions is slower, highlighting areas where the industry can do more.
Our Placement Insights
In 2025, 58.9% of our placements were female, up from 57.8% in 2024. This demonstrates strong representation across the FMCG market.
However, when looking specifically at senior leadership roles, female placements dropped by 30% over the last 12 months. This indicates that while progress is being made broadly, there is still work to do to achieve equality at senior levels.
This contrasts with wider industry trends. A recent Retail Week article highlighted that 2025 saw the highest number of new female retail CEOs on record, showing that the leadership gap is slowly closing at the very top.
Why This Matters
Balanced gender representation is not only important for equality, but it also directly impacts business performance. Companies with diverse leadership teams often see stronger decision making, better innovation, and improved employee engagement.
Our Approach
At Seven, our placements are driven by proactive outreach, long standing sector relationships, and an extensive network. This approach allows us to access top candidates before they enter the open market, including female talent across all levels.
Our SME partnership with D&I in Grocery also provides ongoing insight into best practices across the sector. We attend events, learning labs, and conferences. This is where practical examples are shared, from family friendly policies to women’s health initiatives. This helps us stay informed and advise our clients on strategies to build more balanced teams.
The Result
By combining proactive recruitment strategies, sector expertise, and ongoing DE&I insights, we are able to:
- Deliver broader, more diverse shortlists
- Support stronger leadership appointments
- Help clients achieve better long term outcomes
Take Action
If your business is looking to attract the right candidates and build a more balanced leadership team, we can help! Contact us to discuss how our proactive approach and sector insights can make a difference for your business needs. Don’t forget to read our other blog posts here.