HR should look to flexible working among other measures as a means of improving the representation of women at senior levels, according to recruiters.

The Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR) shows that the UK lags behind South Eastern and East Asian regions and finds itself well down the global rankings in 26th place with 66% of privately held businesses employing women in senior positions.

Jeanette Wastie, director at Armstrong Appointments, says: “There is room for enhancing being able to work from home. For HR, if that requires further training, a different way of working, maybe these are areas to be addressed.

“It is difficult for women, especially if they have children. There are opportunities out there for women. If you have enough belief in yourself and really want it, it will work. It depends on your attitude for looking for that role.”

Michael Bolger, director at Badger Associates, says that if the candidates are good enough, they should get the job whether they are male or female.

“I have placed some very good women engineers. If she is not good enough, she won’t get the job. To skew it, so women get a proportionate number of roles, is insulting to women.”