5 questions with Bonnie Y. Chan, CEO, HKEX

Nearly 800 women joined corporate boards in Hong Kong in just two years. The catalyst? A bold move by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX). After reviewing its 2,600+ listed companies, the exchange found too many still had single-gender boards. So in 2022, under CEO Bonnie Chan, it became the first global exchange to ban them. The impact was immediate: hundreds of companies appointed women directors. As we mark International Women's Day - Chan explains why this isn’t about optics, it’s about outcomes. Gender diversity on boards leads to better decisions, and its impact can be measured. Boards shape how companies grow, attract talent and build resilience. More perspectives lead to stronger governance. But regulation alone isn’t enough. Real progress means building a pipeline for gender-equal leadership - investing in education, training and preparing the next generation to be board-ready. The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. It provides a global, impartial and not-for-profit platform for meaningful connection between stakeholders to establish trust, and build initiatives for cooperation and progress.