Gender Diversity in Companies’ Management and on their Boards

• Author: Vanessa Knapp

Speaker

Professor Vanessa Knapp specialises in corporate law and corporate governance. She is the chair of the company law committee of the Council of the Bars and Law Societies of the European Union (CCBE) and is a member of the informal expert group on company law set up by the European Commission. Vanessa was a partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP for many years and has advised listed and private companies and charities on company law and corporate governance matters. She was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for services to corporate law in 2007.

Vanessa is a member of the Financial Reporting Review Panel. She lectures in company law and corporate governance at University College London and is a visiting professor at Queen Mary University of London. She was a member of the reflection group set up by the European Commission on the future of company law. She is a member and former chairman of the City of London Law Society Company Law Committee and is a member of the board of trustees of the Academy of European Law in Trier, Germany.

Topic

This e-presentation offers an insightful exploration of the critical considerations surrounding gender diversity within the management and board structures of companies. Taking a pragmatic perspective, it delves into the practical implications and applications of these considerations, with a specific focus on the recently enacted EU Directive 2022/2381. This directive represents a pivotal step forward in promoting gender balance among directors of listed companies and implementing associated measures to achieve this goal.

Throughout the e-presentation, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how gender diversity is not just a theoretical ideal but a real-world imperative in the modern corporate landscape. The EU Directive 2022/2381 serves as a foundational framework, guiding companies toward greater inclusivity and representation at the highest levels of decision-making. It highlights the urgent need to address imbalances and disparities in corporate leadership, recognizing that diverse leadership teams are more likely to drive innovation, make better decisions, and...