Diageo and M&S have been named as two of the top grocery and food businesses for their appointment of women in leadership roles within the UK.

A survey conducted by the FTSE Women Leaders Review has shown that more than 60% of FTSE350 businesses are near their 40% target for women’s representation in boardrooms.

Overall, women hold 43% of board roles and 35% of leadership positions in the largest public companies.

In first place for FTSE 100 companies was alcohol giant Diageo, with its female CEO Debra Crew contributing to a board where 70% of members are women.

Following closely behind at number four, high street retailer M&S has 60% of its board positions filled by women, aided by appointments such as female CFO Alison Dolan.

Coming top in the rankings of the 50 largest private companies, the Co-op board is 66.7% female, while Morrisons was the only other business in the grocery and food industry to make it into the top 10, with a score of 50%.

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The Co-op was hailed as one of the top companies in the UK for making progress on the appointment of women to its boards over the last year, joined by Associated British Foods.

However, at the other end of the scale, dairy producer Muller UK & Ireland Group LLP was ranked joint worst for private companies, having no women on its board.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “The UK is leading the charge for gender equality in boardrooms, but we cannot rest on our laurels.

“We must break down the barriers that stop many women being represented in decision-making roles, so that top talent reaches the highest levels of leadership in businesses driving economic growth across Britain.”