Do prestigious roles always lead to more opportunities?

Do you know that the most prestigious positions do not always open more doors for everyone? Looking at Footsie 100 directors over several years, we found that men gain more opportunities from the most visible board roles, while women become less likely to join new boards when they serve on more prominent firms. In part, this seems to reflect the extra scrutiny and demands that come with visibility, especially for women. The takeaway is simple. Inequality at the top is not just about access to prestigious roles, but also about what those roles demand and how they shape careers over time.