A government effort to "narrow the gender gap" has targeted "high-flying businesswomen" for "leadership roles in sport," according to Ashling O'Connor of the LONDON TIMES. Culture Secretary Maria Miller "has challenged sports chiefs to be more proactive in attracting women," who make up only 22% of directors at national governing bodies. As part of the "drive to feminise boardrooms," Miller has "requested a list of 200 leading women from the commercial world as a potential source of candidates for non-executive roles." The "prime targets" are women in media, entertainment and retail who may not have sports experience but "would bring a fresh perspective to what has traditionally been an old boys’ club." Headhunters are "expected to raid FTSE 100 companies, where women non-executive directors include Stephanie George at Burberry and Olivia Garfield at Tesco, and approach entrepreneurs such as Tamara Heber-Percy, co-founder of the travel company Mr & Mrs Smith, Justine Roberts, chief executive of Mumsnet, and Kanya King, who runs the Mobo awards." Miller:“It’s really important that our sports governing bodies make use of all
the skills and talent available yet their boards are dominated by men.” (LONDON TIMES, 4/19).
