Women at work

The Independent (Saturday) publishes an investigation into the lack of gender equality in British boardrooms, noting that just five FTSE 100 companies have female chief executives and that only 120 women hold directorships of FTSE100 companies, 19 fewer than suggested by Mervyn Davies last week as some women hold more than one post. The paper has produced a league table showing what percentage of each company’s board is female; more than a fifth have no women at all, and even at the two most female-friendly firms, Burberry and Alliance Trust, just 37.5 per cent of board members are women. EHRC spokeswoman: “Workplaces need to change if companies are to attract and retain the best employees. Long hours, a lack of flexible working options and direct discrimination remain some of the biggest barriers to addressing gender inequality in the workplace.” Laura Tennison, Veuve Clicquot businesswoman of the year: “How many women want to become directors of FTSE100 companies? Is it that women have a more balanced view of life and don’t always put career above every other aspect?”

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