Responses suggest that two primary factors are the biggest barriers for women seeking leadership positions: the perceived lack of desire for senior roles to be filled by women and biases in the advancement and hiring structure within these organizations.

However, respondents acknowledged that the key challenges for advancing to senior roles are varied. While 35% cited limited availability of opportunities to move up the corporate ladder as a deterrent to career advancement, another 32% stated that women's own shortcomings in properly promoting themselves was the biggest factor.

When asked to identify a primary action that companies can take to better support the professional development of women in the workplace, a majority (64%) cited the need for businesses to more efficiently identify high potential female employees and offer leadership training opportunities as their top choice to foster improvement.

“The pathway to success for companies looking to create a successful and truly gender-diverse culture is paved by clear direction from executive level leadership,” said Kerian Bunch, EVP and general counsel, U.S. Operations, Aspen Insurance. “As demonstrated by the Women in Insurance Conference Series, there is a clear and significant interest within our field to promote leadership diversity at a company and industry level.”