New study from Vodafone reveals that gender is still seen by a third of women as a barrier to career progression.
Over half (60%) of women consider the presence of other female leaders to be a key factor when deciding whether to apply for or accept a job, research from Vodafone has revealed.
The study of 2,000 adults in the UK examined the barriers to career progression and the role of visible leadership in driving workplace culture. It’s released as Vodafone UK announces its new Women in Leadership Apprenticeship Programme to help develop female leadership within the business.
Key findings include:
- Over a third (34%) of women believe their gender is a barrier to career progression.
- 60% of women say that seeing other women in leadership influences their decision to apply for or accept a job.
- Nearly a third (31%) of women believe they need to change jobs to progress, with lack of access to senior roles (40%) and training & development programmes (36%) cited as primary reasons.
- 36% of women say a lack of flexibility in their schedule prevents them from dedicating enough time to learning and development, with only 22% currently spending more than 3 hours a month on it, despite 53% saying they’d like to.
- 35% of women identified employer-led resources like dedicated training days as key in helping them allocate time to learning & development, while 27% want to see increased access to external qualifications and formal leadership programmes.
The UK is leading the charge for gender equality, but we still have work to do. We must break down the barriers that stop many women being represented in leadership roles, so that top talent reaches the highest levels of leadership in businesses driving the economic growth and innovation our country needs to succeed.
Rachel Reeves MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer
The research highlights hidden barriers that continue to shape women’s career progression. While men and women both reported having similar career ambitions, women felt more likely to be held back by lack of flexibility, workplace culture, responsibilities outside of work, and lack of dedicated training time. These challenges make it harder for women to move up in their careers, delaying progress and limiting leadership opportunities.
Rachel Reeves MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “The UK is leading the charge for gender equality, but we still have work to do. We must break down the barriers that stop many women being represented in leadership roles, so that top talent reaches the highest levels of leadership in businesses driving the economic growth and innovation our country needs to succeed.”
Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer, Vodafone UK, commented: “Businesses can’t afford to lose out on top talent because women don’t see themselves reflected in leadership positions or have the time to invest in themselves. The data is clear – seeing women in leadership roles isn’t just about representation; it drives real change and opportunity. Women need senior role models to help feel inspired and supported in their own career progression. At Vodafone, we’re committed to breaking down these barriers through mentoring, leadership development and workplace policies that empower women to thrive.”
Vodafone UK named in The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality list for 2024
Run by Business in the Community, The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality recognises companies who weave gender equality through each level of their business strategy. Here are some of the reasons why Vodafone UK has made the list.
Vodafone UK is committed to supporting women at every stage of their working lives through mentoring, employee networks, dedicated learning and development days and impactful policies that support every life stage. These commitments are backed by a target: 45% of senior management roles to be held by women by 2030.
As part of its ongoing work to developing female leadership, Vodafone recently opened applications for its new Women in Leadership Apprenticeship Programme. The programme will provide dedicated time for female employees to focus on growth and development and help those taking part to enhance their leadership skills, build their professional networks, and advance their careers.
“Through initiatives like this, Vodafone is showing that businesses can lead the way in creating inclusive workplaces,” added Lyons. “By addressing these barriers, we not only support women but create stronger, more resilient organisations that reflect the values of their customers.”
The study’s findings reinforce the importance and the benefits for companies to embed diversity in their leadership strategies. With the government focused on driving economic growth and breaking down barriers to opportunity, empowering more women to reach leadership roles is essential for building a stronger, more resilient economy.
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Notes to Editors
Research
Survey compiled by Survation with a sample size of 2,047, split 50/50 between male and female respondents. Fieldwork Dates: 4th February – 5th February 2025; Data Collection Method: The survey was conducted via online interview. Invitations to complete surveys were sent out to UK residents aged 18+ currently in employment; Population sampled: UK residents aged 18+ currently in employment. Data analysed and weighted by Survation.
Women in Leadership Apprenticeship
The Women in Leadership Apprenticeship is only available for existing Vodafone UK employees. It is a Level 5 operational management apprenticeship delivered by Tack TMI. The programme focuses on growth and development and helping those taking part to thrive in leadership. Learners will undertake at least 6 hours of learning dedicated to the course during the working week, for the full 20 months, and will complete a series of projects and assignments.
