Comment on European Parliament Committees on Legal Affairs and Women's Rights and Gender Equality voted to endorse a proposal aimed at introducing binding legislation to increase the share of women on company boards.

Audrey Williams, partner and discrimination law expert at global law firm, Eversheds, says: “While today's vote is a step forward for the draft Directive, before any recommended European Directive in this area can become law it has to be approved by both the EU Parliament and the Council, where it is still likely to be met with polarised views and may even be blocked by member states in the EU Council. Ministers in a number of countries have already expressed concerns over the proposed text, believing that the issue is best left to national governments to address locally. As such, I expect further controversy before any agreement is reached on this proposal.”