Official Cronulla Sharks Board + Management

[bort]

I dont think running companies with guaranteed funds coming in would be the same as what the others have got to offer. Peter Gow is a self made multimillionaire and that was before Elle came along I remember when he was a technician for the education board fixing PAs, then there is the head of Toyota,the head of Shimano, I think there was a bloke from PBX management one of the largest sporting management in the world and then there is Ron Massey regarded as one of the best league brains alive we forget to soon who roped in Richard Fisk

You are right there mate but these people recommend the Tynan ticket the board formed this committee and took no notice of them

seems that it is going back to jobs for the boys like the old days

 

[SF]

Well I don't want to be all negative, but Denise Aldous makes it pretty clear here that her aim is to join as many boards as possible. I guess her honesty is nice, and it is also written from the perspective of where she started out as a board member, but quotes like the following don't super-inspire me:

Critical for me has been my lack of profile within the Australian business community and this has required a concerted effort at networking.

 

[peachey]

someone should send that site to mrs dragon :nodlaugh

 

[SF]

Sharkfin or Ms Tynan or whoever you are.

One very simple question. WHY didn't Ms Tynan and her ticket CONTEST the MAY elections????

Why didn't she have the GUTS to stand up and oppose Barry Pierce??

It is such poor form to allow others (Irvine, Surace and Walker) to do the "dirty work" in breaking down the old board and then expect to waltz in and take over as President with self elected Directors.

Oh that's right Madeline WAS NOT A MEMBER so of course she couldn't nominate for selection.

So, if she was not a member, she mustn't have had ANY intentions to be part of the Clubs future structure Right?

Well not until all of this negative press came to light and she saw the opportunity to promote herself.

I am also against Tynan waltzing in and taking over the board. But I believe there were plenty of Sharks fans who had no idea about how the voting or elections worked, because of the lack of public information from the club... some would say deliberately obfuscated.

....

On a different note, it's an interesting timeline here:
http://www.womenonboards.org.au/pubs/2009/sharks0907.htm

On 28 July 2009, Women on Boards members, Denise Aldous and Jenny Reynolds, were appointed to the two boards of the Cronulla Sharks Football and League Clubs. Denise and Jenny are the two first female directors of the club in its 42 year history.
How the opportunity unfolded

The situation at the Cronulla Sharks had been played out in the media for some time. Very poor governance and a deteriorating financial position precipitated a change at board level following the May 2009 AGM. A great deal of speculation in the media continued after that date as the new President of the Club, Damian Irvine, worked to re-invigorate the board so that he could start on the task of turning the club around.

Denise had been following the Sharks’ predicament for a while and when she returned from a holiday to discover that things had worsened at the Club. She contacted Ruth Medd at WOB to suggest a strategy for improving governance on NRL boards. WOB was already on the case and Ruth suggested she contact Jenny Reynolds who had been approached by Damian Irvine after he saw her name on the WOB website. Denise and Jenny met and Denise then suggested Jenny contact Damian to see if he was interested in meeting them both. He was and the meeting went well.

Denise then decided that to properly evaluate the opportunity and to get a good understanding of exactly what she might be letting herself in for, she needed to undertake a comprehensive due diligence. This had some sensitivity as there were no vacancies at that time but Damian organised it discreetly and both Denise and Jenny were able to spend time at the club going through as much information as possible.

This assessment allowed Denise to make a decision to commit provided a number of conditions could be met with a critical one being a refreshed board committed to working together to get the club on to an even keel. She was also keen to test the appetite for real change at the club from the top down.

However, media speculation and pressure from parties outside of the board continued to be of concern as the President worked his way through transition at board level and sought guidance from key interested parties at the club. While this took place, Denise took a step back to see what would happen. She did this knowing that at the end of it there might not be a role. This was preferable to being caught up in the media maelstrom that might have ensued.

By late July Damian had finalised the make-up of his new board and was ready to offer two board roles to Denise and Jenny. Their positions and that of the rest of the board are to be ratified at a special General Meeting on 6 August 2009.

 

[Google News]

Women to swim with Sharks

Women to swim with SharksMelbourne Herald SunJust a month after Cronulla CEO Tony Zappia was sacked in disgrace for punching a female employee, the Sharks yesterday ...and more »

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/nrl/story/0,27074,25855665-14823,00.html&usg=AFQjCNH5FWdoNaUUbJp8ZxmNln5_WX01GA

Women to swim with Sharks
By Steve Gee
July 30, 2009 12:00am

IT WAS the cultural change forced by an unrelenting run of off-field controversies.

Just a month after Cronulla CEO Tony Zappia was sacked in disgrace for punching a female employee, the Sharks yesterday took the next step in the clean-out, appointing financial wizards Denise Aldous and Jenny Reynolds to the board.

With no football background and no ties to the Shire, Ms Aldous and Ms Reynolds, who share more than 50 years experience in the banking industry, will replace departing chairman Barry Pearce and long-time director Graham Gillard.

Aldous, a lifelong league fan from Wollongong, said that while the Sharks and rugby league had suffered a black eye, the club and code were making the right moves.

"I guess it's a cultural revolution. Just bringing th e sport into the 21st century," Ms Aldous said.

'It's about realising that lots of different people like watching sport and we want to have fun and enjoy it and we want to feel welcome. That's the sort of image Jennny and I want to leave with the Sharks."

Aldous and Reynolds were headhunted by new Sharks chairman Damian Irvine, who began the process eight weeks ago as part of the first phase of the club's cultural evolution following the New Zealand group sex scandal, the Greg Bird assault case and the Zappia assault allegations.

Reynolds, who has 22 years experience in banking, plus a stint as the CEO of the International Finance Corporation, said the pair were under no illusions about the challenge ahead.

"We go into it with our eyes wide open and we reckon we can make a difference, otherwise we wouldn't be doing this. The board is committed and we're keen to be part of that," she said.

Irvine said the club realised change was needed from the ground up and Reynolds and Aldous were recruited specifically for their financial expertise.

Although there was no pressure from sponsors, the Sharks knew a female flavour was required.

"Our club has been very genuine in our efforts to modernise and restructure our board," Irvine said.

"(But) there's still much to do as the club takes steps towards rebuilding and re-establishing itself."

Ms Reynolds said that while a "lot of hard work" was required to repair the Sharks' financial status, the club's survival was ensured.

"I've seen much worse basket cases," she said.

"I don't think it's nearly the mess the media might portray it.

"It's in difficulties, but we'll get through it. We can guarantee that."

 

[sharktastic]

IMO these 2 women will be awesome for the club.. They seem to have the experience and knowledge on a successful business..

I dont think it really matters if these 2 women know anything about rugby league. There Job is to get us in a better Financial place then we r in now.And i hope thats exactly wat they can do.

 

[slide rule]

Damien Irvine was on 2UE Sports Today last night talking about the new board members.

He said that they were searching for people that were not the typical type of board members from the past.

He said that one of the new directors was previously a Sharks fan, but the other was not. (I can’t remember which one though).

They may not be passionate about the Sharks, but it seems like they are passionate about succeeding, which in a business sense is more important. They obviously hold their reputation highly, and they will not be joining to make up the numbers. They will want to contribute and they both have the necessary experience and qualifications to do the job.

Normally I would prefer to have people on the board that are passionate about the Sharks. But, I think the other board members provide that. It could be good to have someone come in who has been completely external to the club.

So, I cautiously welcome their appointment. As long as they don’t want to change some of our long held traditions such as our home or our jersey. Or if they start pushing for a merger.






I think this is very positive:

Women to swim with Sharks

Ms Reynolds said that while a "lot of hard work" was required to repair the Sharks' financial status, the club's survival was ensured.

"I've seen much worse basket cases," she said.

"I don't think it's nearly the mess the media might portray it.

"It's in difficulties, but we'll get through it. We can guarantee that."

 

[Master Sharky]

These Women have the credentials to keep us alive financially! Just maybe what we need to finnally be successfull!!!! Cmon Sharks!

 

[Dalos]

They may not be passionate about the Sharks, but it seems like they are passionate about succeeding, which in a business sense is more important. They obviously hold their reputation highly, and they will not be joining to make up the numbers. They will want to contribute and they both have the necessary experience and qualifications to do the job.

Normally I would prefer to have people on the board that are passionate about the Sharks. But, I think the other board members provide that. It could be good to have someone come in who has been completely external to the club.

So, I cautiously welcome their appointment. As long as they don’t want to change some of our long held traditions such as our home or our jersey. Or if they start pushing for a merger.

I think this is very positive:

Cannot agree more Slide. I'm 100% behind Damo. He is a good man with smarts, and has the interests of this club fully at heart. I have faith that his direction will steer our great club onto greener pastures.

 

[davetherave]

Welcome to the club ladies. I hope your tenure with our club will be a benefit to all

 

[fitz]

Today (30/07/02009) piece in The Leader

http://www.theleader.com.au/news/lo...aul-to-rebuild-the-faith-of-fans/1581733.aspx

Sharks board plans overhaul to rebuild the faith of fans
BY BRAD FORREST
30/07/2009 11:06:00 AM

Cronulla Sharks will go to their members at next Thursday's meeting with details of their plan to overhaul the struggling football and leagues club operations over the next 18 months.

The meeting will be told the club has been successful in refinancing debt of about $10 million and confident that their development application for a $110 million Sharks Village will be approved by Sutherland Shire Council on August 17.

A Sharks spokesman told the Leader that a push for "up to six new faces'' on the board had been rejected by the club.

The Sharks announced yesterday the appointment of two business women to the new board; ANZ bank executive Jenny Reynolds and financial and professional international consultant Denise Aldous.

For the first time in their 32 years in the first grade rugby league premiership, the Sharks have women on their board of directors.

Earlier, chairman Damian Irvine said the Sharks were well advanced in the restructuring of both leagues and football club operations.

* Major points included:

* Offering new club memberships.

* Re-engaging disenfranchised former members over the past decade.

* Ensuring the Sharks football team and staff are given full support, including playing most home games at Toyota Stadium next year.

* Making the Leagues Club an ``all-age venue.''

* Maximising the earning potential of the licensed club's floor space.

* Ensuring Toyota Stadium is utilised in the off-season.

* Encouraging patronage of the licensed club while building and development work is under way.

Sydney company director Damian Irvine replaced Barry Pierce, a life member of the Sharks Leagues and Football Clubs, when he resigned as chairman in June, after a tumultuous few months.

Irvine, Ricky Surace and Paul Walker won their directorships at this year's annual general meeting, while Craig Douglas was appointed to fill a position left vacant.

Irvine, involved in thoroughbred breeding, property investment, five-star service consultancy and retail, called the August 6 general meeting and has asked members to endorse the new board of directors.

There had been speculation that another election might be called instead.

Shire businesswoman Madeline Tynan had been involved in talks with the Sharks but they broke down last week. Another election could happen, but only if supported by 100 or more dissenting members on August 6, and then another meeting would be needed.

Irvine said he hoped that would not be necessary, and that the bad times were behind the club. A founding member of the Cronulla Sharks Supporters Club, he likened the Sharks headline-filled year to sailors on a leaking yacht.

"Up to now, we've been plugging holes, stopping the leaks and bailing out the water ... but now we are again sailing forward,'' he said.

``The development will be a real big step ... and Barry Pierce and his team are to be commended for the work they put in on the DA.

"The next 18 months is a financial challenge for us to get it right. It will need a concerted effort, but I can already see the challenges are largely achievable.

"You only have to look at the way the morale of the staff at the club has picked up in recent weeks.''

Irvine said the club would attempt to get past members who had "disappeared, for whatever reason over the past 10 years'' to return.

"It is our job in our membership drive to ask those people to give us a chance, so they regain trust in the Cronulla Sharks,'' he said.

"The events of this year hurt our brand. But the Sharks brand is also a strength in reforming the club and going to the people. The headlines, in the end, did us a favour. The club needed to embrace change.''

* BLAKE Green has been named at five-eighth to replace injured skipper Trent Barrett for Cronulla's clash against Parramatta on Sunday. Barrett (fractured cheekbone/eye socket) will miss the rest of the season while former captain Paul Gallen (shoulder) and Anthony Tupou (hamstring) are both set to miss the clash at Toyota Stadium from 2pm on Sunday.

 

[SF]

Today (30/07/02009) piece in The Leader
The meeting will be told the club has been successful in refinancing debt of about $10 million and confident that their development application for a $110 million Sharks Village will be approved by Sutherland Shire Council on August 17.

Very good to hear!

 

[Mr Wright]

massive nobodies......

Aldous went to fricken Harvard. And she has over 20 years experience in business, how can you say that, that is a no-body Sharkfin.

Hopefully they can help with the money.

 

[Ramzyv1]

Very good to hear!

Yes very good. But i have to wonder, how on earth have they refinanced 10 million dollars worth of debt with no new sponsors, poor crowds and very little change. Zappia was willing to sell the club and to move half our games elsewhere and he was great with money. something seems weird here.

Great to hear they are so confident with the devlepment but sad to here it is now August 17th as i thought it was August 4th. Just hurry the hell up!

 

[sharkafar]

Damien Irvine was on 2UE Sports Today last night talking about the new board members.

He said that they were searching for people that were not the typical type of board members from the past.

He said that one of the new directors was previously a Sharks fan, but the other was not. (I can’t remember which one though).

They may not be passionate about the Sharks, but it seems like they are passionate about succeeding, which in a business sense is more important. They obviously hold their reputation highly, and they will not be joining to make up the numbers. They will want to contribute and they both have the necessary experience and qualifications to do the job.

Normally I would prefer to have people on the board that are passionate about the Sharks. But, I think the other board members provide that. It could be good to have someone come in who has been completely external to the club.

So, I cautiously welcome their appointment. As long as they don’t want to change some of our long held traditions such as our home or our jersey. Or if they start pushing for a merger.






I think this is very positive:

In some ways we just have to wait and see, but where I think slide makes a good point is how it can be beneficial to have that more objective viewpoint from those coming from outside the club.
I'm a great believer that just because you have a passion for something doesn't always mean you're the best person to be in charge of it.
As long as they're acting in the best interests of the Cronulla-Sutherland club, then I don't mind if they don't bleed black, white and blue.

 

[peachey]

we should also go to that chick from westpac in NZ, who made a slight error with a decimal making 10k into 10 million, then piss off to china for a while

 

[Google News]

Introducing Ms Denise Aldous and Ms Jenny Reynolds to the Board

Let's bring back 'the perv' to the poolTweed Daily NewsTHE Cronulla Sharks should be applauded for appointing two women to their club board. They virtually had to do something drastic to try and help shake off ...

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.tweednews.com.au/story/2009/07/31/lets-bring-back-the-perv-to-the-pool/&usg=AFQjCNHb94YMy047-MAnget7ryyQsUidRw

Let's bring back 'the perv' to the pool
31st July 2009

<EDITED> Full article can be found here

THE Cronulla Sharks should be applauded for appointing two women to their club board.

They virtually had to do something drastic to try and help shake off all the bad publicity the Sharks had attracted this year and this is a positive move in many ways.

Apart from showing Cronulla is serious about improving its position and image; I think by having two knowledgeable women from the business sector onboard may help the club financially in terms of money management and attracting sponsorship.

Who cares whether these women come from league backgrounds. If they can turn around the club's huge financial misfortunes and get Cronulla back in the black, it can only be a good thing.

Besides, the Sharks have had people in charge with league backgrounds and look where that has got them?

<EDITED>

 

[WillyInBris]

Yes very good. But i have to wonder, how on earth have they refinanced 10 million dollars worth of debt with no new sponsors, poor crowds and very little change. Zappia was willing to sell the club and to move half our games elsewhere and he was great with money. something seems weird here.

Great to hear they are so confident with the devlepment but sad to here it is now August 17th as i thought it was August 4th. Just hurry the hell up!

Very true ramzy and I think you will find that Douglas had a lot to do with it and did the leg work for the board we are asset rich and as long as we can service our loans we should have no problems you only get into trouble when you cant service the debt and it has never been said we cant we probably couldn't pay them out if they all came knocking but most business wouldn't be able to.

I don't think the last board had the smarts in the finance department well actually when you look at the last ten years I think we can all see that!
The Board were looking to move games away for the $$$ to help repay the debt because it was the easy thing to do I would say and they were either out of ideas or had none to start with kind of embarrassing if you ask me.

This new Board is a hell a lot smarter then the last one all the press has been positive they have backgrounds in all the areas we require.

I also think Barry should be dropped from the NRL board as well he has proven he doesn't have what it takes and is way out of his depth.

Ms Reynolds said that while a "lot of hard work" was required to repair the Sharks' financial status, the club's survival was ensured.

"I've seen much worse basket cases," she said.

"I don't think it's nearly the mess the media might portray it.

"It's in difficulties, but we'll get through it. We can guarantee that."

Really what else needs to be said these would have a lot of knowledge and their contacts would so valuable you wouldn't be able to put a price on them I think the Board has made the right decisions to take us into the future.

Welcome lady's!

Besides, the Sharks have had people in charge with league backgrounds and look where that has got them?

<EDITED>

Very True

 

[Mr. X]

Hahaha this so a Tynan poster.... but what i find confusing is, the question was posed; Do you know these nobody's?

yes we do

Then:

She has that profile, she would of been a much better asset for our club compared to these women whoever they are.

So do they know them or not?!

The last thing i want is the Sharks to be known as The Tynan Sharks!!!!!!

These people might be better then......say a Solicitor from Wollongong who is on the Tynan ticket

Or a failed CEO, we might as well just bring back Zap's or The Emperor of Parra, Fitzy!!!!

Can i also add to my rant:

Tynan told The Sun-Herald in June she believed the Sharks could win back female fans despite the club's tarnished reputation in the wake of the 2002 New Zealand group-sex scandal and Tony Zappia's standing down as chief executive.

Yet supported Greg Bird during his obvious assualt (which he has been found Guilty on and anothe) charges and his standing down from the team!!

You just confuse me!!!!!!!!

 

[Google News]

Introducing Ms Denise Aldous and Ms Jenny Reynolds to the Board

Women on boards: addressing the gender imbalanceThe Age... of women to AFL and NRL club boards. Jenny Reynolds from ANZ Bank, and Denise Aldous were recently given the nod for the Cronulla Sharks board. ...

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.theage.com.au/executive-style/executive-women/women-on-boards-addressing-the-gender-imbalance-20090903-f9pj.html&usg=AFQjCNHs1lDshif9vjT8FXbtAzekWr5Pqw

Women on boards: addressing the gender imbalance
JULIANNE DOWLING
September 7, 2009 - 2:31PM

Technical excellence isn't always enough, according to Kate Spargo.

Many women aspiring to the boardroom are feeling it's more a case of women overboard. Are quotas the answer or is there another way this gender imbalance can be addressed? Julianne Dowling examines the state of female representation on boards in Australia.

Noel Waite, AO, founder of the Waite Group, and the first female president of the Australian Institute of Management, has been a pioneer in mentoring women for board roles and feels frustrated by the lack of progress.

She feels that conferences on diversity, such as the one held in Sydney last week, consistently highlight the need for boards to boost the number of women directors, yet representation isn't improving.

According to Catalyst research in the US, companies with women on their boards are financially stronger by 35 per cent while a 2008 McKinsey & Company study said US women on executive teams contributed to a 48 per cent higher EBIT result than the industry norm.

“In the 1990s, [Australian] boards used to openly state they didn't want a woman,” says Waite, who has served on the Leukaemia Foundation, Public Transport Corporation and State Training boards in Victoria.

“Women's search [recruitment companies searching specifically for female candidates] was formed, but some women saw that as segregation. Yet overall, women are still segregated in many ways. [There's a perception that] women still need extra training, and yet why do women need more training than a man to get on a board?”

In the public sector, almost 38 per cent of board members are women, and there are registers for potential female candidates. Waite's company developed a list for the Victorian State Government for a time; this is now handled in-house.

Lawyer and well-known company director Kate Spargo suggests women with board aspirations try the financially oriented and high profile not-for-profit organisations, and work harder on their collegiate relationships with men.

“Men do develop strong collegiate relationships, and while young bankers may have coffee together a lot and talk, I don't see women in those circles ... maybe they're the ones working hard in the office,” Spargo said.

“That's fine but technical excellence isn't always enough.”

Given that she's on several large boards, including Transfield Services Infrastructure and, until recently, IOOF, Spargo is well placed to know.

“By and large, women are entering boards and it's on male terms in the way things work,” she said.

Spargo got her start in South Australia with the appointment to the board of HomeStart Finance, a mortgage finance body, and this progressed to a chairing role. She moved to Melbourne to look for opportunities in the private sector and built up a portfolio that has included Pacific Hydro, Perennial Investments and the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board

“If you look at the proportions of men to women on boards, it's 8.3 per cent women directors in the ASX 200 [according to 2008 data from the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency] and whatever the measure, it's gone down marginally over the last three years,” she said.

“So representation on boards by women is fairly static. But the big board positions don't come up that often and, of course, these boards are seeking particular characteristics of candidates.

“Once upon a time, boards weren't so specific in their search and maybe cast a wider net. These days, the brief is quite detailed and not gender-based.

“On average, a board of eight will have a set of characteristics, and that compounds the issue. However, the search people say it's also about an issue of supply.”

When only half of the ASX200 companies have a woman on the executive team, let alone the board, compared with 85 per cent of US companies, many advocates of board diversity are worried that the gender momentum has stalled.

But recruiters in the industry believe this is not the case.

Tougher times may mean that boards are less interested in change, but some are willing to embrace the next generation and increase diversity, says consultant Stafford Bagot, of executive search group Heidrick & Struggles.

“Women and men need mentors, but it has to be the right mentor to steer them through. Women may lack the network and access required,” Bagot said.

“The best springboard for an aspiring non-executive director is to be either a CEO or operate in the C-suite space.

“You need board exposure and have a broad management experience of running a P&L, finance, sales and marketing - not a functional specialist.”

Sometimes, you can just be in the right place at the right time. Anna Booth was 32 when she was appointed to the board of CBA – a rare event at the time, Bagot says.

“Some people are misguided in thinking that once you focus on a non-executive director career, it will happen but it could take three years or more for a pedigree portfolio to develop,” he said.

Sport is a good example of an industry embracing change with the recent appointment of women to AFL and NRL club boards. Jenny Reynolds from ANZ Bank, and Denise Aldous were recently given the nod for the Cronulla Sharks board.

“Sport has been typically male dominated , but that's changing, and the board appointments will also be a lightning rod to the corporate world,” Bagot said.

Yasmin Allen, aged in her early 40s, is an investment banker and on the board of Macquarie Global Infrastructure fund and The Salvation Army. Her advice: choose an industry you love.

“Be passionate about corporate performance and about the industry you choose,” Allen advised.

“Board composition is unlikely to change too much with a short-term trend probably being to look for more sector specialists to add to the skills around the table.”

While a recent paper by Ruth Medd, from the Women On Boards network, talks about the value of multiple women on boards, few boards in the top ASX200 companies have three women non-executive directors.

A white paper published by the Chief Executive Women network this year said that one woman on a board was not enough to make meaningful change. At this rate it would take 150 years for women to be fairly represented in senior leadership roles, the report stated.

So how can this gender imbalance be addressed?

Spargo says it's all important for women to be seen and to be known by recruiting boards. Networking and publicity are keys to this – even online exposure.

Naseema Sparks, national president of Chief Executive Women believes more drastic action is needed. She is a non-executive company director on the boards of Blackmores, Sydney Dance Company, Osteoporosis Australia and the Mitchell Group.

“I don't think we can give up,” Sparks said.

“Senior women, who were around in the mid-1980s, believed that the pipeline was the answer and ask why haven't things improved.

“I don't believe there will be more options when this generation [of board directors] retires. Generation X is quite conservative, and maybe we will have to wait for Generation Y to shift it [the gender representation] along.

“Australia is behind the world, and it's possibly because of our culture of mateship. One plus is that we have [engagement of more women in] business ownership; the minus is that major companies don't get access to that talent.”

Quotas, anyone?

Norway has implemented a system of quotas to improve female representation on boards. Is such a system necessary here?

Naseema Sparks: “I think quotas or KPIs [key performance indicators] need to be discussed. That's a sensitive position and nobody wants to feel that they're in a role to tick a box. We understand the problem and we're not anti the culture, but we need to have a debate about the issue.”

Robyn Watts, on the board of the Australian School of Performing Arts: “There needs to be a greater effort to find good women on boards to get a gender balance, but I do believe in merit based appointments. Boards need to cast their nets wider.”

Stafford Bagot: “People need to be appointed on merit, and the Norway situation, which dictated that 40 per cent of boards should have women, is crazy because some women are on 100 boards. I just don't agree with that.”

Yvonne Butler, consultant and chairwoman of the Women's Housing Company: “Quotas impose an unnecessary tension and often reinforce the negative behaviour that they are endeavouring to remove. In many instances, women who have been given opportunities through a quota approach find themselves the subject of artificial scrutiny. An alternative to quotas might be to have the regulators include diversity. For example, the ASX Corporate Governance Principles could be modified to ensure that directors have an appropriate range of skills and experience with examples that include gender equality in board membership.”