Equality at the top

The government is conducting a review into the obstacles that prevent more women from reaching senior positions in business. The recommendations of the review, headed by Lord Davies of Abersoch, will be developed into a business strategy due to be published next February.

Research from Cranfield School of Management has highlighted a lack of female directors in Britain’s top businesses. Women make up only 7% of directors in the top ranked companies in the FTSE 250 — and nearly half of them do not have any women on their boards.

The government has said this review is as much about business performance as about promoting equal opportunities.