Speed-dating with certified female board members

Recently, we at IT&Telecomföretagen, together with the knowledge company Women in Progress, organized a seminar and a speed-dating for and with certified female board members and our member companies. The aim was to raise the issue of diversity and competence in the boardroom and give our members the opportunity to meet potential board members. Among others, Sweden's Minister for Gender Equality Maria Arnholm and IT&Telekomföretagen's Chairman of the Board Staffan Hanstorp were present.

The evening began with Anne-Marie Fransson, Director of the IT&Telecom Companies' Association, welcoming everyone and telling them about the various projects we are running within the IT&Telecom Companies to ensure the supply of skills that we in the industry are in such great need of. The proportion of women in the IT industry is currently around 30%. The figure for women in management positions is roughly the same, at 28%. Examples of projects we are running to improve these figures are the Next Up youth competition and the Womentor mentoring program.

Then, before the Minister for Gender Equality's speech, it was the turn of Women in Progress CEO Margareta Neld to say a few words about their activities and how they work to train female board members and make it easier for companies to easily find competent board staff while working for increased diversity and gender equality. 

Maria Arnholm spoke about her background in business, her political career, and how feminism and liberalism have always been a guiding principle in her work. Maria also talked about the skills shortage Sweden and the industry are facing and that we simply cannot afford to exclude women from the boardroom anymore if we as a country are to continue to grow and remain competitive. She gave clear examples of how diversity breeds new ideas and how important it is, from a long-term perspective, to promote diverse workplaces. The importance of transparency was also highlighted. Companies must dare to calculate and report on gender equality in the workplace as well as in the boardroom and then actively work to even out the differences.

Many questions were raised, which became particularly evident during the Q&A session where both member companies and potential board members took the opportunity to ask questions.

Staffan Hanstorp presented his views on board work and the questions that potential board members should ask themselves before accepting a board position. Serving on a board is an active commitment and you should not accept just because you can or feel flattered. Before accepting the position, you should ask yourself a series of questions: What can I contribute? Is there room for my questions and expertise? Will it be perceived as valuable work? Etc. According to Staffan, board work should also be seen as work and not something you do in your spare time. You work on a board, you don't sit on it.

Afterwards, there was a mingle with snacks and drinks before the speed dating which lasted until 19:30.

We would like to thank Maria Arnholm and Staffan Hanstorp for sharing their experience and inspiration. We would also like to thank everyone who came, both potential board members and interested companies. Thanks also to Margareta and Women in Progress. Our hope is for continued cooperation.

Finally, we hope that the companies, all the qualified board members, Maria Arnholm and Staffan Hanstorp had as much fun as we did.

Background: The members of IT&Telecom are among Sweden's most important, future-oriented, successful and driving companies. But there is one area where the challenges are particularly great - getting more women into the companies' operations and boards. With more women on our corporate boards, we bring in external expertise and diversity that creates growth, business opportunities and competitiveness.

IT&Telekomföretagen has therefore initiated a matching event where you as a member company have the chance to meet potential female members for your board or advisory board. In collaboration with Women in Progress, we have selected a number of certified, qualified female board members with skills that match our member companies.

Women in Progress - extended information, opens in new window.