Shocker: British Companies Prove It’s Not Impossible To Get More Women On Boards

Well look at that: British companies wanted more women on their boards — and they actually did something about it.

A new report shows that a quarter of FTSE 100 companies now have boards comprised of 25 percent or more female directors, according to the New York Times. Miracles happen every day.

The significant increase is not necessarily the result (unfortunately) of changing cultural attitudes or company policies but rather a nation-wide, government-sponsored initiative to get more ladies on boards. The guidelines call for 25 percent of board seats to go to women by 2015. This is good stuff — particularly when you recall that in March the percentage of female directors at Britain’s top 100 companies hit an “all-time high” of (*womp womp*) 15 percent.

Compare this to the U.S. figures and we start to look downright progressive.

While the British plan is a gentler approach to the quota system installed elsewhere (i.e. Norway), it’s yet another reminder that government intervention may be necessary to diversify the upper echelons of big business. Of course, last week the Forte Foundation announced it was sponsoring a study to identify strong female candidates for top company boards in the U.S., so a tangible list probably won’t hurt either.

TAGS: britsh boards women | ftse 100

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