From challenge comes change, that’s the theme for International Women's Day 2021. To force a change in the Dutch corporate environment, the Dutch parliament adopted a law on board diversity last February 11, that is expected to pass through the Senate swiftly. As soon as the law goes into effect, stricter diversity quota of at least one-third for both women and men on supervisory boards in Dutch listed companies will apply. In addition, all large listed and non-listed companies will have to set ambitious diversity targets for their boards and senior management. The law on diversity quota is considered an important and necessary milestone in increasing diversity at the top in the Netherlands.
On March 8, AmCham hosted the online conversation 'Moving the Needle on (Gender) Diversity: Will Quota Change Conservative Attitudes in Dutch Corporate Culture? The session was an initiatie of AmCham’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Nilgun Langenberg, Senior Client Partner & Head of Consumer Industry EMEA at Korn Ferry, Chair of AmCham’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and moderator during the conversation, discussed with Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen what have been defining moments and challenges in her career and what drives her in her work at SER Topvrouwen.
Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen is Chair of the Executive Board of Aon Holdings, Board Member of AmCham and Chair of SER Topvrouwen. As Chair of SER Topvrouwen, Marguerite is a catalyst in the debate on boardroom diversity and committed to achieving a better promotion of women to the top of organizations. Why is that important? And why is the Netherlands lagging behind as compared to other countries? What are the bottlenecks to overcome, and the opportunities to seize? What is needed to move the needle? These questions have been raised and answered during the lively discussion this afternoon.
AmCham The Netherlands cordially thanks Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen and Nilgun Langenberg for their insightful knowledge.
