"We are disappointed by another set of underwhelming targets from Lord Davies."

Lord Davies thinks 33% representation of women on boards is the best we can do. WE disagree. Equality means 50%, which WE'll achieve by 2025

— SophieWalker (@SophieRunning) October 29, 2015

 Women’s Equality Party leader, Sophie Walker, has criticised the Davies Review over its unambitious targets for representation of women on company boards. Lord Mervyn Davies has recommended that by 2020, 33% of seats on the boards of FTSE 350 companies should be held by women.

“We are disappointed by another set of underwhelming targets from Lord Davies,” Ms Walker said. “These recommendations do nothing to address the corporate culture that prevents women from becoming executive board members. WE have taken a comprehensive approach to workplace equality, with policies on flexible working, workplace discrimination, childcare, and parental leave, as well as equal representation in the boardroom.”

The review celebrates that a previous target — 25% representation of women on FTSE 100  boards — has now been met. Lord Davies argues that legally enforced quotas are “unwarranted” since progress is already being made.

According to Ms Walker, “the fact that 25% is seen as an achievement is the reason the Women’s Equality Party exists.” WE propose a system of temporary quotas to ensure that the boards of all publicly-listed companies are gender-balanced by 2025.

“Women are tired of the establishment’s absurdly unambitious targets. 33% isn’t good enough. It’s time to to resolve the problem once and for all.”

You can support our campaign for 50:50 boards here.