Women’s leadership drives performance in private capital

Women held 34% of senior leadership positions worldwide in 2025, according to the Grant Thornton Women in Business Report.

South Africa performed better than the global average, with women holding 47.2% of senior management roles.

Private equity firms have an opportunity to build on this progress by considering gender representation when investing in and supporting businesses.

Private equity influences business leadership

Adelè Zeelie, ESG Specialist at EXEO Capital, says private equity firms influence governance, decision-making and leadership structures across their portfolio companies.

“Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) focuses on realizing gender equality and empowering all girls and women. At EXEO Capital, we align with these global efforts and encourage our portfolio companies to support our core values and help promote gender parity,” says Zeelie.

Private equity investment often extends beyond funding. Firms also influence governance, leadership appointments, workplace policies and long-term business strategy.

Women’s income creates wider economic benefits

Investing in women has effects beyond the workplace.

EXEO Capital Funds and Investor Relations Lead Lynette Thomas says a woman earning an income creates economic benefits across her household and community.

These effects support efforts to break poverty cycles and promote sustainable development.

Greater representation in leadership also gives women a stronger role in decisions affecting employees, customers and communities.

What is Gender Lens Investing?

Gender Lens Investing involves including gender considerations in investment analysis and decision-making.

“Private equity firms have the opportunity to drive gender transformation within their portfolio companies,” says Zeelie.

She explains that EXEO Capital uses a Gender Lens Investing approach.

“GLI is the deliberate incorporation of gender factors into investment analysis and decision-making, to improve business and social outcomes.”

The approach promotes gender diversity through several measures, including:

• Gender-based violence and harassment policies
• Employee training
• A dedicated gender diversity course
• Internal forums that support training
• Ongoing monitoring of progress

Gender diversity linked to financial performance

Gender representation is also a business and governance issue.

“The GLI approach has grown significantly in recent years, with more than $7.9 billion in capital deployed with a gender lens as of 2023,” says Zeelie.

She adds that funds with at least one female senior partner record about 10% better financial returns than firms without women in senior partner roles.

Diverse leadership teams also support organisational resilience, decision-making and long-term growth.

Eduvos puts women in leadership roles

Eduvos forms part of the EXEO Capital-anchored NetEd Group.

Women account for almost 72% of the private higher education institution’s executive leadership.

“Eduvos exemplifies the impact of gender-diverse leadership, where women hold key leadership positions, in driving meaningful and lasting change. The organization demonstrates how intentional investment in leadership and culture can contribute to growth and long-term impact,” says Thomas.

Student enrolment at Eduvos has grown by about 30% a year since investment.

Education builds confidence

Eduvos CEO Dr Siegie Brownlee believes education helps people recognise new opportunities.

“Once people begin believing in themselves, they start seeing possibilities they never imagined before,” says Brownlee.

She says Eduvos’s focus on diversity supports governance, innovation and performance.

The institution has also received recognition as one of South Africa’s fastest-growing companies.

Capital needs long-term support

For EXEO Capital, value creation requires more than providing money to a business.

Long-term support should include leadership development, governance and investment in employees.

By supporting women in leadership across portfolio companies, private equity firms help build stronger management teams and more resilient businesses.

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