ASX 200 boards are getting younger

Australia's population might be ageing, but not the Boards of the ASX 200. According to analysis undertaken by law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth, the average age of Directors in Australia's top ASX 200 companies is falling and Directors under 40 years of age are becoming a more popular choice for Boards.

Five years ago almost three quarters of directors on ASX 200 Boards were 60 years of over. But this has dropped to just over half (57 per cent).

"Contrary to what you might think, it seems that the Board's of Australia's top companies have taken a deliberate decision to introduce younger directors," said Corrs partner Andrew Lumsden.

Lumsden and fellow Corrs corporate advisory partner Lizzie Knight have conducted analysis into the dynamics and make-up of 200 leading Boards. They found that while the majority of Directors are still aged 50 and over, the surprising statistic is that the proportion of Directors under 50 years has doubled since 2009.