Cable bemoans lack of women on boards

British companies could be subjected to compulsory quotas of women on their boards unless they take action to raise female representation voluntarily, Vince Cable said yesterday.

The Business Secretary described quotas as "a legitimate last resort" if measures to encourage firms to appoint women directors failed to meet targets of 25 per cent female representation at board level by 2015.

He also said he planned to "name and shame" companies that were lagging at appointing female board members, and suggested that half of the Cabinet would be women if he were Prime Minister.

One in 10 of Britain's biggest firms has all-male boards.