Female executives against gender quotas for boards

Appetite, among female executives, for quotas to be introduced as a means of increasing gender equality on the boards of Irish firms is declining, according to a new survey.

“Women themselves are keen to effect change; arguing that they need to take some responsibility for the low level of women on boards through being proactive and undertaking training rather than relying on quotas as a means of increasing the number of women on boards in Ireland,” said Institute of Directors chief executive Maura Quinn.

The organisation’s report, ‘Women on Boards in Ireland: 2015’, shows up something of a mixed bag. Awareness of the importance of gender diversity is high, at 82%, and more than half of professional women feel board diversity is improving.