The MBS Group

How women are influencing Power 100s

I am always up for casting my eyes over a Power List, particularly in the sectors that we at MBS work in. I am often asked to comment on the issue of women’s presence on boards, including the strategies required to get more women into high-level positions within, for example, FTSE 100 organisations. I am having a really good day, as Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev has just been announced as number one in Art Review magazine’s Power 100 list of people in the contemporary art world!

The list is generally made up of collectors, artists, curators and gallery owners – it’s always been a very impressive summary of some of the most powerful and influential individuals the world over. It began in 2002, meaning that there have been some 1,000 names on the list across the ten years. This is the first time ever that a woman has made it to the top of the list, making it a great piece of news for anyone concerned with gender equality in positions of power.

What I found most interesting was that Art Review are especially proud of the fact that they have placed a curator at the top of the list. There is absolutely no mention of the fact that Christov-Bakargiev is a woman! She is by all accounts an extraordinary curator, having been responsible for the Documenta fair in Germany, which drew an astonishing 887,000 visitors this year. The estimable Radio 4 programme Woman’s Hour is drawing up a Power 100 too. Stella McCartney is, of course, nominated for kitting out Team GB for the Olympics, and other obvious and inspirational choices are Natalie Massenet, founder of Net-a-Porter; Angela Arendts, CEO, Burberry, and Sarah Burton and Phoebe Philo, creative directors, Alexander McQueen and Celine.

I have to say, though, that my number one would go to Camilla Batmanghelidjh, founder of Kids Company. Her outreach programmes have benefited tens of thousands of disadvantaged children and, more importantly, she has been able to galvanise many corporate organisations to deal with youth unemployment and the problems we face if this issue is not addressed. She is a true inspiration, and deserves to be recognised as such!

Please let me know who your number one would be at moira@thembsgroup.co.uk. Have a great week-end; the colours of the leaves look amazing at the moment.

Tags: Women On Boards