Deutsche Bank's Ackermann: Women might add "color" to executive board

Labor Minister Ursula von der Leyen has put forth a plan that would see 30 percent of executive positions in Germany's large companies filled by women, beginning in 2013. Voluntary measures have not been effective, as only 2.2% of executive positions are held by women in the top 100 DAX-listed companies.  

For Deutsche Bank's CEO Joseph Ackermann, such legally imposed quota's are totally unnecessary. “I’m pleased that the Chancellor has said that she does not want a legal quota for women,” said Deutsche Bank boss Josef Ackermann, according to Handelsblatt.

„Wir haben Frauen, die Quote nicht nötig haben.“ Er hoffe, dass irgendwann auch die Führungsmannschaft der Deutschen Bank weiblicher werde - „und dass das dann auch farbiger sein wird - und auch schöner“.

("We have women who don't need a quota."  he hopes that someday the leadership team of the Deutsche Bank would be more feminine - "it would be more colorful - and more beautiful.")

Deutsche Bank has never had a woman on its Vorstand (Executive Committee) - nor is there any female candidate in sight. 

"Wenn Herr Ackermann mehr Farbe im Vorstand will, soll er sich Bilder an die Wand hängen", sagte die FDP-Europaabgeordnete Silvana Koch-Mehrin dem Handelsblatt. "Frauen in Führungspositionen verstehen sich nicht als Dekorationsobjekt, das gilt mit Sicherheit auch für die Managerinnen in der Deutschen Bank", sagte die Europaabgeordnete, die auch Mitglied im FDP-Präsidium ist.

("If Herr Ackermann wants more color in the executive committee he should hang some paintings of the wall," FDP- EU representative Silvana Koch-Mehrin told the Handelsblatt. "Women in leadership positions don't see themselves as decorations - and that certainly also applies to female managers at Deutsche Bank." )

A recent poll shows that a majority of Germans believe state intervention is appropriate for ensuring more equitable representation of women in corporations.  In the US, the situation is not much better: in 2010 there were only 12 female CEOs of the Fortune 500 and 26 for the Fortune 1000 corporations. Where is the American Ursula von der Leyen?

 

Comments

[Zyme]

And why would we want more women as CEOs?

Seriously, so many women have studied and gained the required education for decades now. If they decide against a 100 % career pursuit afterwards, why would we then lift those at the post who are not up to the job?

[David]

Zyme, you are fond of pointing to the polls that show the masses embrace your hero Sarrazin. Well, in this case the polls are against you.

Why should the talents of 51% of the population be excluded from the boardroom?

[Hattie]

Look at Iceland.

[Zyme]

If they are so talented, then they should go for it. What does not make sense is to lift those there who have not proven themselves comparable.

One advantage would stem from a legal requirement though: Those women who then are in charge will not have a lot of difficulties explaining to their successors how they made it to their post.

[bbfedernow]

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now my question : anyone knows how to obtain a static ip ( ipv4) from Germany for personal use. a whole block would be nice. thank you for your attention.

[Knidokida]

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