Register of Executive and Non Executive Women aims to get women on board

As yet another study reveals the astoundingly low number of women appointed as executive and non executive directors (NEDs), a new organisation has launched with the sole intent of promoting the appointment of women to board level positions. RENEW, Register of Executive and Non Executive Women, has been established by Hilarie Owen, founder of the Institute of Leadership and best selling author of numerous books studying the concept and philosophy of leadership, to support the development and appointment of female non executive and executive directors.

RENEW aims to encourage women to put themselves forward and also to encourage companies to actively consider and appoint women to these key roles. Not for reasons of equality or statistics but, rather, based on the evidence that in the current business climate, boards need a new perspective, transformational leadership and superb talent that today’s leading female executives offer.

In addition, the recent Higgs Report - and others examining issues of corporate governance - actively encourages companies to look beyond traditional sources for NEDs to add a fresh perspective to their business. Higgs also recommended increasing the diversity of selection to bring new ways of thinking and decision making to reflect today’s society and, in fact, identified a strong link between good corporate governance and gender diversity in the boardroom.

The organisation has received support from well known businesswoman Prue Leith who said: In my experience, head hunters say chairmen donít want female NEDs and chairmen say that head hunters never offer them. RENEW might just call their bluff and get good women on the shortlist! The neurologist Baroness Susan Greenfield, CBE, whoís also in support of RENEW commented: This initiative is very timely and draws attention to an urgent and key issue in the UK in the 21st Century.

Speaking about the launch of RENEW, Hilarie Owen commented: Report after report highlights the low number of women on UK boards. The latest figures state that of the FTSE 100 companies, women make-up only 3.7% of executive directors and just 11.8% of non-executive directors. We’re keen to make companies realise that the right NED or executive director can bring competence, skills and experience to a board thereby adding balance to the existing team and strengthening overall company performance.

RENEW provides a network of ’like-minded’ professionals who share a common goal of developing their careers in the executive arena. Members will receive support from the very first point of contact through to professional development including mentoring, board experience and specific director development. They will have the opportunity to meet accomplished businesswomen and men, attend national and regional conferences and lunches with high profile speakers and, also, receive regular news updates.

Hilarie Owen continued: It’s not just our members who will benefit. RENEW specialises in providing companies with access to a pool of talented, highly qualified and independently assessed senior female executives. RENEW will select and develop individuals to ensure that they can fulfil their role as leaders and make a positive contribution to the achievements of organisations.

RENEW aims to work with organisations to help resolve the overt barriers to unleashing the best talent. Hilarie Owenís research points to the fact that barriers affect women more than men, but RENEW is keen to emphasise the value of being a woman, rather than emulating a man, and to use the differences in a positive way to benefit the organisation. This work is important to any professional organisation; fast growing enterprises, public sector and large corporations and is not selective to the FTSE 100 companies.

RENEW has established an Advisory Board that has a key management and consultative role. For instance, two members of the Advisory Board will always be involved in matching a specific individual to a particular client to ensure optimum quality procedures and results. The commitment of Advisory Board members, including the likes of Brian Patterson, Chairman Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Fiona Driscoll, Director of Hedra plc, is to meet regularly, participate in development programmes, attend RENEWís annual conference and support the Chair.

Hilarie Owen concluded: RENEW will provide unrivalled access to a pool of premier quality, professional women. And, by doing this, we’re going to negate the excuse that companies would, of course, appoint women ñ if only they could find them.

For further information, please contact:

Seema Lalloo/Sarah Humphries
Spreckley Partners
T-020 7388 9988