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The initiative, supported by British International Investment, aims to place board-ready women across PE-VC-backed companies through curated screening, mentorship, and investor partnerships.
New Delhi, 16th June: Winpe, a gender diversity-focused non-profit organisation, announced the launch of its “Women on Boards” programme. This landmark initiative addresses the persistent underrepresentation of women on corporate boards across India. The programme focuses on creating a pipeline of board-ready women professionals and connecting them with private equity and venture capital-backed companies.
The initiative will focus on increasing both the demand and supply of women directors. To address the demand side, Winpe has secured commitments from its member base of global and regional PE-VC firms and their portfolio companies to prioritise diverse boards. These firms understand the value diverse perspectives bring to boardroom discussions and are keen to actively seek out and appoint qualified women to the boards of their portfolio companies. On the supply side, Winpe is focused on identifying and nurturing women who are ready to take on board roles. It will build a database of senior women professionals, including those with experience as entrepreneurs, advisors, and senior functional leaders. Key components include a board of advisors, training for first-time directors, a screening committee, and a panel of mentors. In addition, Winpe will organise knowledge sessions and facilitate peer groups and connections amongst women who are on corporate boards.
According to a 2023 EY report, as of 2022, women held just 18% of board seats in India, and nearly 600 companies have only one woman on their boards.
“We believe that by building a strong ecosystem to support both companies seeking diverse board members and women ready to lead, we can drive better governance and economic growth,” said Nupur Garg, Founder, Winpe. “While regulatory requirements have moved the needle, the numbers are far from satisfactory. One woman on a board of seven is not enough, real diversity starts when women hold multiple or equal seats at the table and are included for their experience, knowledge and leadership, not just for legal reasons,” she continued.
Winpe has received support from British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, to develop the Winpe Women on Boards programme. Under the DFI’s Technical Assistance facility, this support underscores BII’s commitment to empowering women in leadership roles within the Indian corporate ecosystem. This programme builds on the key findings of BII’s report ‘How do companies and funds with female owners and leaders support positive outcomes for women?’. It shows that gender-diverse-led businesses are more likely to implement more diverse and inclusive workplaces. BII’s support will enable Winpe to scale its efforts and expand the reach and impact of the programme.
“In India, supporting women in accessing board opportunities is not just about representation; it is about strengthening the foundations of governance, decision-making, and long-term value creation. Our partnership with Winpe reflects our commitment to enabling systemic change by supporting platforms that address structural barriers and unlock leadership opportunities for women across the private equity and venture capital ecosystem,” said Shilpa Kumar, Managing Director and Head of India, British International Investment.
The Board of Advisors for the “Women on Boards” initiative comprises seasoned professionals: Deepak Kapoor, Former Chairman and CEO, PwC India; M Damodaran, Chairperson, Excellence Enablers, and Ex-Chairman, SEBI; Naina Lal Kidwai, Former Chairperson, HSBC Group, and Padma Shri Awardee; and Zia Mody, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, AZB & Partners.
With this initiative, Winpe aims to drive meaningful change in boardrooms by creating access, enabling representation, and building a stronger, more inclusive investment ecosystem. By empowering women to lead and helping companies embrace board diversity, Winpe is paving the way for a more equitable and effective corporate governance landscape.
