A Woman's Place is in the Boardroom

There are relatively few women in senior executive positions and on the boards of major companies. Based upon research and in the context of contemporary management debates the authors argue the business case for promoting women to these positions in order to create more value for shareholders. The book draws upon interviews with chairpersons and chief executives and includes case study material.

'Businesses are fighting for talented people but, judging from the statistics, top level talent would appear to be largely a male preserve. This is, clearly, nonsense. Peninah Thomson and Jacey Graham's timely study has put forward, unequivocally, the case for greater female representation in boardrooms. This isn't about the need for positive discrimination; it's about responding effectively to a commercial imperative.' Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Minister for Women

'A decade ago, The Conference Board Trustees counted a single woman; today we claim seven women business leaders on our board. The authors explain how and why The Conference Board's present, should and will be capitalism's future' Dick Cavanagh, President& CEO of The Conference Board, Inc.

'The book underscores the value women bring to the boardroom. The findings are relevant to every senior executive looking for leadership teams that will capture imaginations, stimulate positive change and deliver high performance.' Joe W.Forehand, Chairman, Accenture.

'Why do so few women make it to the board tables of quoted public companies and does it matter? Yes, is the resounding answer from Thomson, Graham and Lloyd as they suggest an agenda for change on the promise of enhanced shareholder value and improved quality of corporate life.' Dame Sandra Dawson, Director, Judge Business School and Non-Executive Director of Barclays

'This is a book born out of extensive research among those with leadership responsibilities in today's Boardrooms. It fills an obvious gap in modern business literature. It should be a very valuable read for all women aspiring to take their place in the Boardroom as well as being a valuable source of insight for all Directors and Chairmen who want to create success through diversity.' Sir John Parker, Chairman National Grid

'This book is full of insights from senior executives and aspirant women and identifies the critical issues of cultures and systems inhibiting progress. I would commend Chairmen, Chief Executives, Directors and HR professionals committing the time to read this, to test whether the many constraints apply to their activities and to consider utilizing the suggested approaches.' Rob Margetts, CBE Chairman BOC and Legal& General

'The book shows the value that women bring to the boardroom and drives home the message that if you are looking for leadership teams that will capture imaginations, stimulate positive change and deliver high performance, then bring in the women. A good read and a useful reference book for all HR practitioners, students and board members.' Business Executive

PENINAH THOMSON is a Senior Executive Coach and a Director of Praesta Partners LLP.

JACEY GRAHAM is Managing Partner of Brook Graham LLP, a strategic diversity consultancy and formerly Head of Diversity Strategy and Planning at Shell International.

Both authors are co-founders of Women Directors on Boards, a UK consortium for action and change and an influential group of women in senior positions in government, academia and large companies. They are also co-founders of the FTSE-100 Cross Company Mentoring Programme.