While running a number of successful Effective Board Member (EBM) programmes for young leaders, and expanding them into sport, Karl George knew it was time to address the issue of the lack of women on boards.

There has been much debate regarding the lack of – and in many cases the complete absence of – women on boards, a subject addressed by Lord Davies in his 2011 report Women On Boards.

In the report, Lord Davis said: "At the current rate of change, it will take over 70 years to achieve gender-balanced boardrooms in the UK."

Mr George developed the existing EBM programmes in order to try and help fill this gap.

He said the aim is to contribute to the acceleration of women's place on boards, not based on their gender, but because of the value that is brought to a board when the views and contributions of its members are more diverse.

Mr George said: "The business case for diversity is well reasoned and the inclusion of women on boards is not a nice thing to do but a smart thing to do.

"Diverse boards are better overseers of corporate activities and are less likely to share common assumptions. Creating space for women on boards will encourage challenge and debate that can contribute to improving outcomes."

Lead The Board differs from the other programmes in the EBM series as all the participants are experienced women who hold senior positions.

Given this, they can fulfil non-executive director roles in large, complex organisations or as chairwomen once they have completed Lead The Board.

Aimed at directors, senior executives and individuals with non-executive experience, it is designed for professional women who have the vision to contribute to a more balanced demographic of board composition across the private, public and voluntary sectors.

In order to ensure the programme met the learning needs of those with more experience, it is centred on reflective practice.

Mr George highlighted the fact that the public and voluntary sectors do much better on diversity than the private sector in a number of areas.

However, they do have some way to go still and he believes board appointments in this sector can be the stepping-stone for entry to FTSE boards.

The concept of women working at executive levels, particularly those on boards, has been highlighted as an area to be addressed by academics, the media and regulators in order to enhance the performance of ‘UK PLC'.

The next Lead The Board programme will begin in January 2015 and it will also be launched in London in spring 2015.

To apply or for more information about the Effective Board Member programmes visit www.effectiveboardmember.co.uk.

Four women who completed the Lead The Board programme give their verdict

Kelly Sotherton, Olympic athlete:

What made you sign up for the programme?

I want to lead a sporting governing body or organisation, so learning about how the board works will help me in my attempt to lead.

What do you feel you have got out of it?

Understanding of how the board works. The different behaviours that I should expect and how to deal with them. Learning good governance and how it affects the running of a company/organisations in various sectors.

What board role have you taken on following it?

None as yet as I've only just finished the course

How important do you think the programme is?

It's important that governance is learned and that various businesses and organisation recognise this is an integral part of success of running a business and good practice. It's effects are not just within the organisations/businesses, but to the outside world. Getting diversity on to a board is also important, so the more people that take part in courses like Karl's, the better educated we will be at running good and diverse boards. Better understanding.

Alex Bishop, litigation lawyer and national head of Shoosmiths' dispute resolution and compliance practice. Having served as a non-executive director on a number of boards, including as chairman of Birmingham Future, Alex is chairman of BPS Birmingham, representing the professional and financial services sector.

What made you sign up for the programme?

Although I am a lawyer and have sat on a number of boards over the years, I have never had any formal training on the roles and responsibilities of a non-executive director or on governance issues.

What do you feel you have got out of it?

The programme has given me an invaluable overview of what makes an effective board and the duties of non-executive directors more generally. Many of the principles are equally applicable to effective leadership of a law firm or indeed any other professional practice.

What board role have you taken on following it?

I had recently taken on the role as chairman of BPS Birmingham when I signed up for the programme and have already applied a number of the principles learned.

How important do you think the programme is?

Programmes like Lead The Board are vital to helping address diversity issues, not least gender diversity, in the boardroom. Equipping women with the skills to take their seat at the table as well as providing practical pointers to increase their confidence in applying for non-executive roles is absolutely key if we are going to see real change in the make up of boards in the future.

Monica Shafaq, CEO of The Kaleidoscope Plus Group, a Midlands-based health & wellbeing charity

What made you sign up for the programme?

I think it's difficult for women generally to obtain non-exec positions as we often have to work harder at proving ourselves than our male colleagues. As well as the lack of women generally on boards, there are far too few women from black and ethnic minorities in non-exec positions and I felt that this programme would help explore why this is the case, as well as assist me in breaking down those barriers.

What do you feel you have got out of it?

I've held a number of non-executive positions for several years. However, this programme has allowed me to consolidate my knowledge and experience and has also given me the tools and confidence to effectively explore positions in other sectors and multinational businesses.

What board role have you taken on following it?

None at the moment.

How important do you think the programme is?

Very. I think it's great for personal development – something which we rarely make time for. Apart from what you learn from the course itself, it's also a fantastic networking opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals outside of the usual work environment. I know that some of us have discussed similar problems or barriers that we have faced in business and shared ideas to tackle them which has been very useful. Many of us will keep in touch which is great at both a professional and personal level.

Ann Rivera, director of organisational development for the Trident Social Investment Group, which incorporates housing organisations, charities and social enterprises.

What made you sign up for the programme?

I wanted to develop my skills in governance to enable me to build up a portfolio of board positions across a variety of sectors.

What do you feel you have got out of it?

I have a much better understanding of what makes a “high-performing” board and the importance of good governance, regardless of the sector or size of organisation. I am currently chair of WISH Midlands (Women in Social Housing), a network and career development group for women at all stages of their careers and across the whole range of organisations who operate in the housing sector, both private and public. I am also chair of Welcome, a charity offering services to support individuals and their families to rebuild their lives after a period of drug and/or alcohol abuse. This programme has given me added confidence in my above roles. In addition I believe I am now better placed to increase my board portfolio.

What board role have you taken on following it?

No new positions as yet, but being part of this programme has definitely equipped me to actively seek more roles.

How important do you think the programme is?

Extremely important. There is a shortage of women on boards across all sectors and taking part in this programme will help address this imbalance by hopefully giving women the skills and confidence to apply for board positions.