The government is to announce proposals today to force companies to make public what they are doing to increase the number of women in senior roles.
Ministers have asked the Financial Reporting Council to consider adding a clause to the UK corporate governance code, reports City AM.
Gordon Brown said: “A new principle in the governance code on diversity would build on the provisions in the Equality Bill, but if we do not see a dramatic change in the composition of company boards in the future, we will need to consider taking more serious action.”
According to a survey commissioned by the government’s equalities office, 80% of respondents believe a balanced management team performs better, while 61% said firms are missing out on talent by failing to appoint women to senior roles.