NetEnt sets 50/50 gender target

NetEnt chief executive Per Eriksson has set his firm the target of achieving a 50/50 gender split across its entire business by 2020, describing the aim as “crucial for business growth”.

Speaking to eGaming Review, Eriksson said he was “convinced” the issue of gender diversity within the online casino industry was becoming an increasingly prominent topic and was one that needed to be addressed.

NetEnt’s approximate 600-strong workforce is currently made up of around 35% women but Eriksson said the company had committed to levelling the numbers within the next five or six years.

“A number of studies have shown the benefits of having a gender balanced and diverse work force,” Eriksson told eGR. “It sparks creativity, innovative thinking and cooperation among colleagues.

“At NetEnt we can clearly see this to be true, but I also believe that a gender equal and diverse company is crucial for business growth.

“So to push ourselves and not lose focus, we have set the goal of reaching 50/50 by 2020,” he added.

The company’s management team (pictured) is currently made up of four women and four men and Eriksson said this even balance of genders had played “an important role” in the company’s recent growth.

“Our management team has operated with a 50/50 gender balance since 2012 [and] I believe that our numbers speak for themselves as we are outperforming the market,” Eriksson said.

Despite the target, the CEO was keen to stress the company would still look to employ “the very best candidates, no matter their gender”.

“We simply want the best candidates and surprisingly often you are able to find stronger female candidates than male, it just takes more effort to find them,” Eriksson said.