Men are much more likely to be offered the chance to own shares in their company than women, a new survey suggests.

An analysis by law firm Boodle Hatfield showed that of 33,400 occasions when tax-advantaged share options were offered, 69% were to men and 31% to women.

And a study of 14,260 different tax-advantaged share options that were taken up, showed that women accounted for 30% and men 70%.

Boodle Hatfield said the figures showed the difference in remuneration between men and women at senior levels is likely to be “even starker” than the 10% gender pay gap reported for all jobs in the UK.

Charlie Hewlett of Boodle Hatfield said: “The gulf in share options granted to men and women shows there is clearly considerable work to be done in narrowing the gender remuneration gap.

Gender gap ‘eclipsed’

“Share option schemes can be a powerful retention tool, especially for managers in high growth sectors. These figures are likely to reflect the ongoing under-representation of women in such roles.”

Check Warner, co-founder of venture capital firm Ada Ventures, said: “The gender gap in share options eclipses the gap in basic pay between men and women.

“Women are missing out on crucial opportunities to build wealth and to build stakes in the businesses they work for.”