Jump in the number of women on UK corporate boards

Heartening news from the UK's boardrooms with the news of increased gender equality.

The last five years have seen a nearly 50% increase in the number of women on UK boards, from 682 to 1,026.

On face value, this is pleasing - although is it realistic to suggest that this has been caused by the Hampton-Alexander Review? Additionally, whilst I'm optimistic, I'd also ask a number of supplementary questions - how many women hold multiple directorships? Equally, how many of them are related to other people who hold directorships?: This would give even greater insight into whether gender equality is being significantly enhanced.

That said, another talking point would be the fact that the target of having women making up 33% of directorships by 2020 has been a voluntary one - and it might be asked whether this rather than compulsory targets are the way forward.

You can read the review here