Women represented on boards of every top manufacturer, says EEF

It found one in five directorships at FTSE 100 manufacturing firms are held by females. However, many of these women have said quotas are not the answer. "They advocate evolution, not revolution," according to EEF chief executive Terry Scuoler (pictured), "with companies continuing and improving their work to identify and nurture talented women and taking bigger strides in showing that a career in our sector is an attractive, exciting and equal opportunity for all." EEF said work must be done with schools to encourage girls to study STEM subjects, science, technology, engineering and maths. Most of the 28 manufacturers in the FTSE 100 index (68%) have either one or two female board directors, with a further 21% having three directors. Diageo plc has four and also has the highest percentage of board level women, at 44%. However, GlaxoSmithKline and Unilever lead the way, with five female board members each. "Women account for 21% of the 305 directorships across manufacturing firms in the FTSE 100. This represents a 2% increase in female directorships since our previous report," said the EEF. Scuoler added: "Manufacturers are heading in the right direction, but cannot afford to let up. We are matching other industries for female board representation, but there is no room for complacency. If our sector is to continue to thrive we need to be fishing from the entire talent pool and that means ensuring women have the right skills and opportunities and are represented at every level."