More women in the boardroom?

I think there is an argument for more women being involved in all sectors of business. Maybe then we would have a less aggressive approach, where presently 'good business' is synonymous with the humbling or even humiliation of 'opponents'. A more enlightened set of business values and ethics are called for, through which the interests of all stakeholders can be considered. Maybe more women in the boardrooms can set us along the road to achieving that.

Nigel is quite right. With different people come multiple perspectives and bad practices by company bosses are likely to be challenged more often. Viviane Reding, the EU justice commissioner wants European boards to be 30% female by 2015 and 40% by 2020. A new French law requires listed firms to reserve 40% of seats on boards for women by 2017 and Norway and Spain have similar laws. Germany is also considering it. Whilst I am personally uncomfortable with compulsory quotas and prefer a system based on merit, there is a point here. After all women’s suffrage goes back over one hundred years and we still have not made much progress in the boardroom!