The South Pacific Stock Exchange has published a first-in-Fiji directory recognising women who serve as directors on boards of SPX-listed companies, unveiling the compendium — titled Women on Boards of SPX Listed Companies — at the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality 2026 event in early March as part of International Women’s Day observances.
SPX chief executive Sheraj Obeyesekere said the publication reflects the exchange’s commitment to strengthening female representation on listed boards while formally acknowledging the expertise and time women contribute to corporate governance. “By bringing their experience and leadership into one publication, we hope to both acknowledge the contribution of these female leaders and inspire more women to step forward into positions of leadership,” he said at the launch.
The inaugural edition captures profiles of women who served on SPX-listed company boards during 2025, presenting their industry experience and governance roles in one consolidated reference. Obeyesekere described the profiles as evidence of “the depth of capability and multi-industry expertise” among female business leaders operating at the highest levels of Fiji’s private sector.
SPX said the publication is intended as more than a tribute. Beyond recognition, it aims to raise the visibility of experienced women directors and act as a practical resource for listed companies, nomination committees and other stakeholders considering future board appointments. The exchange has committed to producing an updated edition annually to continue highlighting female leadership and to support improved governance outcomes in the market.
The launch at the “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” event positioned the initiative as an action-oriented contribution by the exchange to the wider International Women’s Day agenda. The move follows a global trend among exchanges and regulators to use disclosure, data and targeted initiatives to accelerate gender balance in senior corporate roles; SPX’s directory provides a localised tool tailored to Fiji’s small but evolving capital market.
Market participants said the directory could help address a common barrier to diversifying boards: the lack of easily accessible information on qualified, experienced candidates. For a market with a limited pool of listed companies and directors, consolidating profiles helps corporate nominating bodies identify board-ready women across sectors without relying solely on existing networks.
With its first edition now public, SPX will face the practical test of whether the directory translates into new appointments and more balanced boardrooms. For now, the publication establishes a formal record of female directors active in 2025 and signals the exchange’s intent to keep gender representation on the corporate agenda year round.
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