Managers' gender pay gap widens for first time in decade

The gender pay gap among managers expanded last year for the first time in more than a decade, according to research by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

The survey of 42,205 people found that women leaders received a 5.2% pay rise to an average salary of £43,571 in 2006. Meanwhile, male managers saw their earnings rise 5.4% to £49,647 - the first time in 11 years that men's earnings have risen faster than women's.

The findings come despite women enjoying faster career progression than men, the National Management Salary Survey said. At 37, the average female team leader is five years younger than her male counterpart. At 40, the average female department head is three years younger than her male equivalent. And at 44, women achieve director roles - four years quicker than men.

CMI director of marketing and corporate affairs Jo Causon said: "It is clear that the pull of promotion is not being matched by parity in pay. Despite the weight of legislation and the reality that reward should match responsibility, gender bias seems to be getting worse, not better."