As the implementation of quotas is being debated in the community to ensure a gender balance in board composition, it is clear that we have reached the point where stricter measures are being considered to effect change of the size and scope needed. The Australian Centre for Leadership for Women (CLW) has today released its findings based on a survey of 317 women on the difficulties women experience getting into boards.

The Women Getting into Boards Report by Dr Diann Rodgers-Healey, Founder of CLW indicates that from women’s observations and insights about how to successfully achieve a board position, particularly in the private sector, it can be surmised that one ideally needs to:
- be the right gender: male
- have the right friends: corporate board members, high profile influential contacts
- have the right experience: have corporate board experience, financial or business experience; be financially independent in a full-time paid position
- have the right skills set: financial, legal, management, leadership
- have the right qualification: tertiary degree in finance, law, management
- be of the right age: as skills set comes with considerable experience, being a young achiever is problematic
- be in urban areas not rural
- not be an immigrant or refugee

Click here to read more about the report at the CLW website.