Von der Leyen blasts EU governments for failing to agree gender balance legislation

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the glass ceiling 'remains firm in place at the top of European companies'. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The president of the European Commission has blasted EU governments for failing to agree legislation that would see 40% of European company boards made up of women - 10 years after first being proposed.

Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at the European Women on Boards' Gender Diversity Award, said the glass ceiling "remains firm in place at the top of European companies".