“Companies need to understand the difference between realism and idealism. We don’t live in a perfect world so the methods you use need to be imperfect,” Shah said.
“It’s all well and good talking about the best candidate for the job getting it, but the criteria are stacked against women.”
Cultural change was a further key issue to tackle, said Gwen Rhys, founder of the Women in the City organisation.
“We need to make a conscious effort to change the culture and enable more open dialogue of what men and women want from work – not just women who want flexible working.”
She added women could learn some things from men and realise “you don’t need to explain everything, you need to blow your own trumpet and say you have ambition.”
Morrissey added she was optimstic that things were on the road to change.
She said: “Once we are at the tipping point and we have more women in the industry it just becomes normal.
“There’s more intent to see change now. I’m more hopeful.”
