Rate of women taking over as CEO stagnant in 2017: This and 6 other findings

In 2017, 183 women across 25 industries assumed the role of CEO, down slightly from 2016 when 193 women took over the CEO post, according to a report released Jan. 18 by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Here are six report findings.

1. In 2017, 993 U.S. companies recorded replacing a CEO. Of the 993 replacement CEOs recorded in 2017, 183, or 18.4 percent, were women. This number remains virtually unchanged from 2016, where 193, or 18.5 percent, of the 1,043 replacement CEOs were women.

2. Hospitals appointed 22 women into the CEO position in 2017, which means 25.6 percent of incoming hospital CEOs were women last year.

3. Throughout 2017, 117 women replaced a male CEO; 66 women replaced a female CEO; 87 men replaced a female CEO; and 723 men replaced a male CEO.

4. Eleven CEOs left their posts in 2017 due to sexual misconduct allegations. Seven companies announced replacements, four of which are women.

"The tremendous strides for women in the workplace following the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have yet to be truly felt in the C-Suite. As companies grapple with issues and potential policy changes stemming from the onslaught of sexual misconduct allegations in the workplace, they would be wise to ensure women have seats at the table," said Andrew Challenger, vice president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

5. A separate study from Grant Thornton, an accounting firm, cited in the Challenger, Gray & Christmas report, revealed the number of women in leadership positions rose just 1 percent in 2017. The number of companies with no women in leadership roles rose from 33 percent in 2016 to 34 percent in 2017.

"The lack of gender diversity at many companies, especially in leadership roles, is a huge detriment," said Mr. Challenger. "Studies have shown that more women in leadership positions correlates to higher profits and better stock performance."

6. Women are assuming more leadership positions in some industries more than others. In 2017, 72.3 percent of healthcare managers were women and 70 percent of public relations, fundraising and social work leaders were women.

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