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PWN Global Webinar with Clifford Chance: Gender Balance on Corporate Boards - Targets for Equal Representation across Europe

Join us for a discussion with an esteemed panel of speakers as part of our global campaign to mark International Women's Day. This year's theme is #EmbraceEquity, with the focus on gender equity being especially pertinent in the context of this major piece of EU-wide legislation.

The European Commission, Council and Parliament have reached political agreement on the draft legislation to ensure gender parity on the boards of publicly listed companies in the EU: the 'Women on Boards Directive'.

Under this agreement, in-scope companies will be required to achieve a target of 40% of non-executive director positions, or 33% for all board positions, to be allocated to the under-represented sex by 30 June 2026. The draft Directive provides for penalties to be implemented in the event of non-compliance.

You are invited to join our webinar during which a member of the European Commission Cabinet for Equality and a panel of experts will discuss the draft legislation, examine how companies and governments will look at implementation, and consider the impact on companies and their culture and strategies, as well as the wider social impact.

Speakers include:

• Susannah Haan (moderator): EU Adviser, PWN Global. ESG / Corporate Affairs professional with a focus on Social & Governance. Senior Corporate Governance Adviser at Chartered Institute for Personnel & Development, Committee Member European Association of People Management.
• David Kerr: Member of Cabinet of European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli. He is responsible for relations with the European Council and the European Parliament and is also Member of the Group for External Coordination.
• Clarisse Derré: Head of Governance Matters at Airbus. In charge of all matters related to Airbus’ top holding company, Board of Directors, Annual General Meeting as well as disclosure, reporting and listing activities.
• Floris van de Bult: Partner and Co-Head of the Global Employment practice, Clifford Chance. He advises (boards of) both domestic and international companies on their strategic employment matters such as remuneration policy and regulations, cross-border reorganisations, #metoo issues, D&I policy and high-end litigation.

About Clifford Chance

At Clifford Chance, inclusion is a core value of our firm and of the law itself. 

It is rooted in the oldest traditions of the law’s commitment to equal status and standing for all people. It is also a business imperative to provide the best and most innovative solutions for our clients, and we need teams that draw on a diversity of thought and experience. 

Our history as a firm has been anchored in innovative and diverse cultures and approaches which have both disrupted traditional attitudes and set global standards. We believe that to help achieve these values we have to be champions of, and campaigners for them across our firm, with our clients, and in the world. We are proud to be a majority female firm but we know we must work to ensure that this is reflected at all levels of our business.

Click here to read more about our Inclusion and Diversity strategy or here for more information about the legal and broader ESG services which we offer clients.