A new report by the BVCA and Level 20 has found that the proportion of women working in private equity and venture capital has significantly increased over recent years. Diversity in UK Private Equity and Venture Capital 2025 report finds that 27% of UK-based investment professionals are women, this is up from 24% in 2023.
The key findings from the 2025 report are:
- Women now hold 15% of senior investment roles, up from 12% in 2023.
- The percentage of individuals from a Black, Asian and other non-White ethnic background increased to 20%, placing the industry in line with the UK national average.
- The UK is behind only France and Sweden when looking at representation of women in investment teams across Europe.
This is the fourth edition of Level 20 and the BVCA’s analysis of representation across the UK private capital industry. Its first edition, published in 2018 which used different methodology, found that just 14% of investment professionals in private equity were women and only 6% of senior roles were held by women.
This latest set of data shows continued progress and demonstrates the industry’s continued commitment to make strides in female and DE&I representation. The tools set out in the latest report can be used to ensure that progress continues in fulfilling this objective, where people of all backgrounds can build careers in private capital.
Level 20 CEO Gurpreet Manku, said:
We are pleased to see continued momentum in gender diversity across private equity and venture capital, and are proud to be part of this effort towards continued growth and progress. Now in our 10th anniversary year, what started as a vision among 12 senior women leaders working in private equity and venture capital in 2015 has grown to a pan European organisation with more than 6,500 members across 13 international chapters. Our work is focused on recruitment, retention and progression of talent and this latest data shows the impact of the industry’s efforts. Important research like our Family Leave and ACCELERATE reports include practical steps firms can take to support women and parents to keep them in the business, while private equity’s apprenticeship model means talented senior women are more visible every year that passes.
BVCA Chief Executive Michael Moore, said:
This report provides a robust, consistent data set, which can be used to track change and progress. The industry has made improvements in its representation in recent years, but it still has a long way to go, particularly at senior levels. Our goal is to ensure all individuals regardless of their background and characteristics can thrive in PE and VC.”