Guide launched to get more women on board

Hundreds of women are failing to reach boardroom level in the UK because senior appointment decisions are being based on instinct rather than fact - with very little analysis of the specific role that needs filling.

These are amongst some of the key findings from a study published this month aimed at encouraging organisations to appoint more women to Board level called, ëGetting Women on Board ñ the Business Case for Diversityí.

The report, which is introduced by Lord Stevenson, Chair of HBoS, has been co-written by Kate Headley, director at Diversity Consultancy, Performance Through Inclusion, and Joanne Welch at Veredus Executive Resourcing.

Headley said: ìThe rigour and openness common with appointments at lower managerial levels are simply not evident with those made for the Boardroom. The more senior the position, the less time spent defining the brief it seems.

ìThis can have major repercussions because if you get it wrong at the beginning, all subsequent stages of your recruitment process will make little difference to the construct of your board. Organisations end up making appointments that ëfeel comfortableí but are in essence based on instinct rather than fact.î

The comprehensive guide has had input from PepsiCo UK Ltd, Ford of Britain, HBOS Plc KPMG, Deloitte. Pearson Plc, and Centrica, and looks at each of the barriers that hinder women joining UK Boards.

Suggested solutions range from reviewing candidate sourcing strategies, evaluating attraction strategies, investigating the way you select and work with your search partner, and considering induction processes and support networks.