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Do you have anyone in mind? Most of the rank duds I can think of (boards, seats, management, whatever.....) are males and got there through the game of mates.

Without going into detail I've spent a fair bit of time with Executive Management (including banks) and I've only ever met one female I'd consider lucky to get a gig because of gender and it was a middle management role. On the other hand I've known more than a few females to miss out on Executive roles purely due to the game of mates, including one absolute shocker. Fortunately the female who missed out eventually got a comparable position after 18 months or so and she's been brilliant by all accounts. The guy preferred for the original gig has been ordinary at best.

If you have a number of wrong appointments in mind fair enough as long as you think all of the male members alongside are first class. But if you're starting from the point that the board is all male and every female needs to prove herself by crawling over broken glass to get a gig then I'd respectfully suggest you have a beer, don't respond straight away and rethink your position because your prejudice is showing.

For major companies I've consulted to what you're asserting just isn't my experience and being a bit proactive to ensure female talent gets an opportunity actually pays off for shareholders.