Harvey Nash Urges Executive Search Industry to ‘go Beyond’ Voluntary Code of Conduct for Gender Imbalance in the Boardroom

LONDON, August 4, 2011 -

The Executive Search industry has been urged by Harvey Nash to ‘do more’ than simply sign up to the voluntary code of conduct launched last month (July 2011) in response to the Lord Davies report: ‘Review of Women on Boards’.

Recognising the widespread perception that there was a limited available pool of qualified candidates, in 2008, Harvey Nash founded Inspire, a business network for senior board level women in business.

The Inspire network has enabled thousands of senior business women from the private and public sectors to meet women already in leadership roles and provides access to board level positions and mentoring opportunities.  

Carol Rosati, Director of Harvey Nash and co-founder of Inspire said “I certainly welcome the debate that was sparked by Lord Davies’ report. It has been clear for a number of years that more needs to be done to correct the gender imbalance at board level. Within the Inspire network we talk to thousands of senior women executives globally about their career aspirations and the challenges they face in achieving them. Too often business women are not being considered for board positions despite their skills and experience being desperately needed.”

Beyond the gender imbalance at board level Harvey Nash has been actively working to encourage clients to consider more minority candidates in their appointments. As such Harvey Nash has developed close links with many minority candidate communities through the launch of Harvey Nash Talent Bay in 2007. An online portal, Talent Bay or ‘TBay’ has established a dedicated database of minority candidates. These initiatives challenge the status quo and provide the Harvey Nash client base with access to a wider range of candidates who would otherwise not be considered for many positions.

Margot Katz, Group Talent Director and main board member of Harvey Nash Group plc said “To avoid the need for quotas I encourage Chairmen and Senior Independent Directors to champion the appointment of more women and minorities to their boards. The Executive Search industry should also help identify and promote exceptional talent from these groups and I urge recruiters to do more than simply sign up to the voluntary code by being proactive on this issue. We have been greatly encouraged by the results of this activity and our clients have reaped the rewards; adding richness, innovation, creativity and diversity to their management teams and boards.”

For more information please visit harveynash.com.

About Harvey Nash Group plc

Harvey Nash, a global professional recruitment consultancy and IT outsourcing service provider, is committed to delivering the very best talent and IT solutions to a broad base of international clients. The Group is a trusted advisor to some of the world’s leading business, governments and institutions. Operating from 39 offices covering the USA, Europe and Asia, its talented professionals pursue the highest levels of integrity and quality in providing a unique portfolio of services: executive search, interim management, IT and finance recruitment and IT outsourcing. Web: www.harveynash.com

Notes to Editors

Harvey Nash Media Enquiries:

Robert Grimsey, T. +44(0)20-7333-0033, E: robert.grimsey@harveynash.com

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