More needs to be done to address the lack of representation of women in the boardroom, insists the CBI.

More needs to be done to address the continuing lack of representation of women in the boardroom, insists the Confederation of British Industry.

A report from Cranfield University reveals that just 12.5 per cent of FTSE directorships are held by women.

Katja Hall, CBI director of employment policy says: ‘Many companies are already taking steps to boost the number of women in the boardroom, but these figures show that more needs to be done.

‘Given that different firms face different challenges in attracting and developing women at various levels of the business, a flexible approach is necessary.’

Hall suggests that companies should be able to set their own targets for female representation at board level.

‘When only one in ten engineering graduates is female, an engineering firm may struggle to attract a big enough pool of women that can progress through the ranks to board level. That is why imposing a blanket target for boardroom diversity is not realistic,’ she adds.

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Related topics: Women in business Confederation of British Industr, Cranfield University, Women in business