Not-for-profit chief executives are still being ignored as potential non-executive directors in the private sector, according to the ACEVO, despite a need for greater diversity within corporate boardrooms.

The news comes a year after the publication of the government’s Tyson report, which highlighted how a range of different backgrounds and experience can enhance corporate decision making.

At a summit held to mark the first anniversary of the report, chief executives from businesses, headhunting firms and charities heard today that there is no real evidence that diversity is increasing or that new appointments are being made from the third sector, indicating that both government and business are losing interest in the issue.

Speaking at the summit, Stephen Bubb, head of ACEVO, said: "Is business committed to the most basic implementation of Tyson’s recommendations? It’s clear we’re still not welcome in the boardroom clubhouse. Government seems unwilling to force businesses’ head of the sand.

"A bold new initiative is urgently needed if anything is to change by the time of the next election. "