A study of chief executives of FTSE 100 companies found that today’s leaders are younger, more internationally diverse, better qualified, and less tied to the establishment than when the FTSE 100 was established 24 years ago. Women, on the other hand, are still largely excluded.

The survey, by Odgers, Ray & Berndtson, found that the average age of a chief executive had fallen from 60 to 52.

Today’s leaders are also more international. In 1984, 80 were British, whereas now only 58 are. Some 14 come from the US, ten from Europe, and eight from Commonwealth countries.

This diversity is reflected in the fact that just five are knighted, compared with 32 at the inception of the FTSE 100. It also shows in the fact that 16 went to Oxbridge, compared to 33 in 1984, and 18 are members of gentleman’s clubs, compared to 63 two decades ago.

Chief executives have become more highly educated. In 1984, 30 CEOs had no degree, whereas today all but five have a university degree.

The change partly reflects the way companies within the FTSE 100 have altered. Many traditional manufacturing and consumer goods companies have fallen from the index, while more resources, media, professional and support services companies have joined the FTSE 100.

Women, meanwhile, remain largely absent from the list. There were none in 1984, and just two today.