Director General of the Consortium of British Industry (CBI), Claire Fairbairn is calling for a new voluntary target of 25 per cent for female senior executives in major UK companies.
Speaking at an event hosted today (January 28) by law firm Lathan & Watkins in London, Fairbairn is set to call on the successor body to the Davies Review to consider a 25 per cent voluntary, business-led target for female senior executives in major UK companies.
She will emphasise the importance of looking past boards to executive roles, and urge chief executives to do more to help capable women go from entry-level to senior management.
Writing for the Evening Standard this week, she noted, "For me, the real issue is not about simply getting more women on boards, but about more women as leaders."
She called attention to what she feels to be a British business environment that is still geared towards men, and the difficulties facing women that lead them to leaving as they begin to move towards more senior positions.
"There are factors to do with being a mother that are immutable, and there is no right and wrong in terms of personal choices," she commented.
"But some of the reasons why women to choose to leave need addressing, including availability and cost of childcare, flexible working arrangements and support in caring for elderly parents."
This is why, she said, the CBI will call for the voluntary 25 per cent target, adding that, “Of course, diversity isn’t just about women, but it is a good place so start.
"Let’s make sure that many more women reach the top — running our organisations day-to-day, calling the shots, managing change, hiring the next set of stars, and leading Britain into a bright and prosperous future."
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Jenny Whelan. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
