The public body that tends to canals in Scotland has heeded calls from the first minister for organisations north of the border to achieve a 50:50 gender split in the boardroom.
The appointments of Deborah Benson and Cathie Bankier puts Scottish Canals on a par with the likes of Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Accountant in Bankruptcy and NHS Education for Scotland, whose boards also have at least 50% female membership.
The drive to even up Scotland’s boardrooms is part of the Partnership for Change campaign, which was launched in June by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The aim is to get companies, third sector organisations and public sector bodies to commit to achieving an even split by 2020 at the latest.
The latest figures show women make up just 38% of regulated public bodies’ boards and men are paid on average 9% more than women for doing the same job.
Fair Work Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said yesterday: “This Government has shown that we are leading the way in making major and lasting progress towards true gender equality.
“Diversity throughout a company or organisation gives that body a much wider understanding of staff, business partners and customers or clients.
“The wider the pool of experience you draw from, the more possibilities you are likely to consider.”
Tanya Castell, vice chairwoman of Scottish Canals’ board, said: “Scottish Canals is committed to encouraging and celebrating diversity throughout the organisation and we’re immensely proud to have achieved the Scottish Government’s 50:50 target before 2020 in both our board and management teams.”