Minister backs work to get women into top jobs
The equalities minister, Lynne Featherstone, is today helping launch a new programme aimed at helping increase the number of women in Britain's boardrooms.
At a London event this evening, the City Women’s Network will unveil details of a programme to help support senior women who demonstrate the capability to serve on boards.
Currently, less than 11 per cent of board directors of FTSE 100 companies are women.
Jobs on merit
Lynne Featherstone said: ‘The push to get more women into the boardroom is nothing to do with political correctness – it’s about merit and it’s about delivering better policies and services.
‘Changing attitudes and widening the talent pool makes good business sense and is essential for UK corporate competitiveness. But this change can’t come from government alone. Dumping bucket-loads of regulations on companies won’t help employers or employees. Change has to come from employers themselves.
‘That’s why I’m delighted to see the City Women’s Network leading from the front with this innovative new programme, and I’d urge all FTSE 100 employers to take a close look at what they’re doing.’
Government report
The government has asked Lord Davies, the former Chairman of Standard Chartered PLC, to look at ways to improve female representation on the boards of listed companies.
He will report back shortly.