Women at Work

The Times, the Independent and BBC Online look at the new Corporate Governance Code, published today by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). Most coverage focuses on the FRC’s call to get more women into the boardroom by “[paying] due regard for the benefits of diversity on the board, including gender”. Lynne Featherstone: “Half of all consumers are female but only 12 per cent of FTSE 100 directors are, so I’m pleased to see the FRC recognising the need to get more women into the boardroom. A more equal workplace is a more successful workplace and the stronger provision on gender diversity in the new Code is an important step towards building a fair and equal society by tackling discrimination at work.” Baroness Hogg, chair of the FRC: “People who read the code might be inclined to ask questions of major companies who have no women on the board.” David Prosser, Independent columnist: “Lynne Featherstone, the Equalities Minister, describes the new code as ‘an important step’ … but it will be interesting to see whether her colleagues in Cabinet – more male than it has been for a considerable period – want to do more.”

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