Hence the make up of the next level up is determined by the make up of the next level down - which is why the idea of imposing quotas for women on Boards is farcical. Because quite simply, there aren't enough women in senior management, which means there aren't enough suitably qualified candidates for a quota system to work.
The reasons for this are many, and not all the blame rests with employers. Perhaps the most significant driver is career choice, where even today, boys leaving school aspire to well-paid (and more numerate) jobs in consulting, banking, accountancy and engineering. Whereas, the preferred choices for girls are the less well paid (and less numerate) jobs in the media, teaching, marketing and charities. Clearly the former is an accepted route to the top but the latter is only by exception.
Much is made of those women who have 'broken the glass ceiling' and Carolyn McCall and Sly Bailey are two prominent PLC CEOs, but they both came up the sales route in media companies, thus reinforcing the importance of career choice.
So, in the absence of a ready pool of suitably qualified female candidates where will Chairmen cast around for female candidates? My bet is they won't look much further than the other side of the breakfast table. City wives already have a formidable reputation for their charity and committee work, and quotas will give them the opportunity to walk straight into many more Board Rooms.
It was often claimed that non-executive directorships were decided in smoke-filled City dining rooms. That was then, but in future it will be the dinner party table in Chelsea, where directorships will be cast around, and deals done. But that's probably not what the activists had in mind when they started pushing for quotas.
However you can't help smiling, as this will force the chaps to treat their other halves as equals. You can see it now: "Rupert, you will make sure that Amelia votes through the remcoms's report - I need that bonus for the Verbier refurb , oh, and you will both be coming skiing, won't you?".
You'd almost feel sorry for such a neutering of the old misogynists.
Simon Howard is chairman, Work Group plc - a company whose CEO is Rose Colledge.
