Women in spot light
at equality seminar

The moderator Cherie Blair started the discussion by explaining her views on the Swedish way. "I always thought the equality in Sweden was fantastic – like Nirvana for women. But now I know that Sweden is not as great as I thought. But they have learned from their mistakes."

The first part of the seminar focused on business, and the consequences of the staggering under representation of women on boards. Angela Knight, Chief Executive of the British Bankers Association, emphasized what she believed to be some of the issues. "A lot of women do not want to take on a challenge. But it is easy to beat the men. Just read the newspaper before the meeting begins." Also on the panel during the discussion was Ingrid Bonde, Chief Executive Officer of AMF, Margaret Cole, Director of Enforcement and Financial Crime at FSA, Sven Hagströmer, Chairman at Investment AB Öresund, Helena Morrisey, Chief Executive Officer of Newton Capital Management and Lena Ölving, Executive Vice President of SAAB AB.

The second part of the seminar, regarding politics and equality, included Member of Parliament Patricia Hewitt who told the audience about when she first came in to politics. "We women used to feel like we were gate crashing somebody else’s house. That is not the case anymore. Now we all own the House. And that is truly representative.This discussion also included Lars Einar Engström, Author, Columnist and Managing Director at Eventum, Jens Orback, Secretary General of the Olof Palme International Centre, Margot James, Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party for Women and Susie Uppal, Director of Legal Enforcement, Equality and Human Rights Comission. During the seminar Carl Nisser, Legal Consultant, was the roving commentator." The seminar was the first in the Swedish Chamber’s new series of events on Business meets Politics.

                                                                                 By: Anton Assarsson