APPOINT ON MERIT, NOT QUOTAS

Feminists who periodically raise the of
female quotas in senior appointments might
well ask what Margaret Thtcher's viewa
would have would have been on positive
discrimination, gender quotas, all-female
shortlists.The answer to the feminist lobby
from the greengrocer's daughter from
Grantham would, of course, have been
entirely unequivocal. She was the
ultimate role model of what can be
achieved by anyone, man or woman,
from any background, through applied
intelligence, determination and clarity of
vision.

Those who think otherwise often point to the

so-called glass ceiling, which can be an

expression of a desire for preferment on the

grounds of gender, rather than merit. Such a

notion does not bear scrutiny in these

challenging economic times when talent,

wherever it exists, is the most critical

determinant for restoring the country's

fortunes.

As Mrs Thatcher remarked "Remember,
everything is achievable if you work hard
at it." - a sentiment with which the record
number of women who are being appointed
to Britain's boadrooms would doubtless agree.