The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has called for a requirement for listed companies to measure their progress in boosting the number of women on boards.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has called for a requirement for listed companies to measure their progress in boosting the number of women on boards.

The UK Corporate Governance Code should be revised to require listed companies to report on diversity on a ‘comply or explain’ basis, says the employers’ group.

Such a system means businesses would have to report progress against internally set gender ratio targets that reflect their companies’ circumstances and have to explain if they fail to deliver.

Helen Alexander, CBI president, says, ‘Boardrooms should harness the talents of the many, not just the few. Although women make up half of the population and more than half of university graduates, they remain woefully under-represented at board level.

‘We need to see more women progressing through the ranks and do more to keep them moving along the career pipeline into the top jobs.’

See also: CBI queries flexible working

Related topics: Women in business CBI, UK Corporate Governance Code, Women in business