The poll of women directors at companies across the UK, conducted by recruitment specialist Praxis Executive Resourcing, showed that although 66% said women enjoyed equal opportunities across the whole workplace, only 32% said they had the same chance as men of becoming a board director.

But of this group, only 44% said the reason was male dominance of senior management positions. Many, 64%, thought that breaking their careers to have a family put them at a disadvantage. Over half (58%) blamed the shortage of female directors on their own presumption that they would not reach the boardroom. Another 68% cited their lack of networking skills compared to their male counterparts as a problem.

One respondent to the survey said: “It does matter whether you are a man or a woman – getting a meaningful board position isn’t easy. It takes total commitment and willingness to make a lot of sacrifices, particularly in your personal life. A lot of my female friends and colleagues just aren’t willing to do that. Rightly or wrongly, they’re more interested in achieving a balance between work and the rest of their lives and that’s why I’m where I am and they’re not.”

Kate Mason, head of Praxis Executive Resourcing, said women were still very much in the minority in UK boardrooms, and its record is poor compared to European neighbours. “Only 10% of UK directorships are held by women, as opposed to 22% in Sweden and 28% in Norway,” she said.