Confidence is key: Women urged to push to the top

Lack of self-confidence is preventing women from climbing the corporate ladder, according to the head of an organisation that aims to encourage more female representation at the top of British businesses.

Heather Jackson, pictured, chief executive of An Inspirational Journey, was in Edinburgh yesterday as the group brought together more than 200 women, identified as the “next generation” of business leaders, to discuss the career challenges they face.

She said: “Organisations have wanted women at the top for a long time, but until now women haven’t accepted there is no glass ceiling any more. They need to push themselves forward.”

Chris Sullivan, chief executive of UK corporate banking at event sponsor RBS, said quotas for female representation on company boards would not solve the issue alone.

He said: “Women find quotas patronising – they want to get where they’re going on their own merits.”

GARETH MACKIE