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IoD reissues call for more female business leaders.

Another UK business leader has called upon companies to encourage more women into the boardroom.

Simon Walker, director general of the Institute of Directors expressed his plans to make the cause of business leaders one of the core objectives of his term.

Speaking at the IoD Women as Leaders Conference, he commented: “There is no doubt that role of a director has been seen in the past as a job for the boys.

“This image is changing, but it has not yet been entirely dispelled.

“The notion that women should not play an equal role with men in the boardroom is not only unjust, but – equally importantly – inconsistent with the efficient functioning of a modern economy.”

He now plans to pursue three key objectives in order to realize his plans. The IoD will soon launch a training course specifically designed for female directors, and will establish a directory of women who would be suitable for non-executive director positions.

The IoD has also proposed that companies be required to report on boardroom diversity, including gender diversity in their annual reports, although this should be implemented in the UK Corporate Governance Code 2012.

Mr Walker added: “I am absolutely convinced that the IoD must assume a position of leadership in advancing the cause of diversity on boards and in other leadership positions.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .