ABSTRACT
Gender equality between men and women is a fundamental principle of European Union (EU) law and United Kingdom (UK) law. The representation of women on corporate boards of public listed companies as a form of gender equality is one category that positive action measures undertaken by both seek to address. This chapter analyses the current state of affairs in relation to gender diversity on the boards of public listed companies in the UK and the EU. It also analyses the proposed EU Directive on Women on Company Boards and the key conceptual underpinnings that may have contributed to the procedural paralysis for its adoption. The position and current state of affairs on women on corporate boards of FTSE listed companies in the UK are examined. The chapter analyses why the UK and the EU recommendation for FTSE listed companies to achieve a 40% representation of women on FTSE boards by 2020 has not been achieved and offers a suggestive solution.
