British PM slams lack of women in boardroom

Almost two out of three Britons think there are not enough female executives or directors in big business, according to a recent poll.

LONDON, March 8, 2010 (AFP) - Politicians and business chiefs should join forces to boost the number of women in the boardroom, British premier Gordon Brown said Monday, calling the current situation "completely unacceptable."

Almost two out of three Britons think there are not enough female executives or directors in big business, according to a poll of more than over 1,000 adults commissioned to mark International Women's Day.

"We all recognise the value of strong role models for women in all walks of life -- and there are many in politics, the arts, public services, sport and the third sector," said Brown after breakfast talks with top female executives.

"But there are too few in Britain's boardrooms," he added.

"When more than half of graduates are women, it is completely unacceptable that some of our top 100 public companies have not a single woman on their boards, and that none at all have a majority of women on their boards."

The government also announced Monday that the Financial Reporting Council is considering new codes of conduct such as requiring firms to report on what steps they are taking to increase senior management jobs for women.

"Britain needs more women in the boardroom. This survey shows that the public want a quicker pace of change," Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equalities said.