The British Chambers of Commerce has joined forces with other leading business groups to call on the UK Government to stop using the outdated word "chairman" and replace it with "chair".
Make UK, The Institute of Directors, the Confederation of British Industry and all 53 of the accredited chambers of commerce have joined the BCC in signing an open letter to Government asking for the change.
Currently the word "chairman" is still used by Companies House as its default term in its model articles, meaning it is then repeated in the articles of many thousands of companies across the country.
The letter calls for this to be changed to the neutral term "chair" and points out the change could easily be incorporated in upcoming corporate-governance legislation.
All of the signatories to the letter are taking steps to amend their own articles to use the word "chair" and they are encouraging all other businesses to follow suit.
Sarah Howard, chair of the BCC, said: "More needs to be done to help the young girls and women of today achieve their ambitions. Research from the FTSE Women Leaders Review 2022 reveals just 8% of FTSE 100 CEOs are women and only 13.7% of executive directorships.
"Currently Companies House still uses the word 'chairman' in its model articles of association and has done for many years, meaning it has been used by thousands of businesses across the country when they are set up.
"While businesses can change it themselves, many are under the impression that it is a requirement of Companies House. Language matters. Just as 'policeman' and 'fireman' have been replaced with more inclusive terms, so too should 'chairman' be consigned to the history books.
"Research from the World Bank suggests a direct link between the use of gendered language and differing employment rates between men and women. The default term should be changed to 'chair'.
"It's a small but very significant alteration that will help break down subconscious bias and send a clear message to future generations that they have an equal role to play in running businesses whatever their gender identity.
"There is much more that all of us need to do to help address inequality in the business world, and this change would send a clear message on Government intent."
FTSE 100
Leading stock markets on both sides of the Atlantic had good trading sessions yesterday.
The three top indices in the US were all ahead - the Dow Jones was up 1.79% at 33,891, the Nasdaq by 1.62% to 13,752 and the S&P 500 by 1.86% to 4,386.
The UK's FTSE 100 closed yesterday up 1.36% at 7,429. Shortly after trading started this morning, it was up 23 points at 7,453.
Companies reporting today
- Full-year results: Admiral Group, CRH, Elementis, Entain, ITV, London Stock Exchange, Meggit, Melrose, Rentokil Initial, Schroders, Spire Healthcare Group, Synthomer, Taylor Wimpey, Vesuvius
- Interim results: Darktrace, Galliford Try
Other updates
- HIS Markit/CIPS UK services PMI survey for February