Sturgeon wants new momentum to cut boardroom inequality

BUSINESSES must “inject new momentum” into improving women’ s representation, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The First Minister warned public tolerance of gender inequality “has never been lower” – with organisations facing reputational damage if they are too slow to change.

Ms Sturgeon was addressing senior business leaders at a Hampton-Alexander Review event hosted by the Bank of Scotland in

Edinburgh.

The independent review, commissioned by the UK Government, set out recommendations for FTSE companies to increase the number of women on their boards. Ms Sturgeon said: “The Hampton-Alexander Review highlights some clear improvements made in boardroom gender equality. While welcome, these changes are not nearly enough.

“The reputation al damage to organisations too slow to make change has never been higher.”

Around one in four FTSE 100 board members are women, with a target of one in three set for 2020.