Opinion: Why retail can do even better with women on top

‘Girl power’ has been listed in the Oxford dictionary since 2001, mainly thanks to the Spice Girls.

“The female of the species is not only deadlier than the male: she has proven ability to lead and take tough decisions while accepting complex multi-tasking as an everyday given”

Lord Kirkham, DFS

While that particular quintet may well be a musical memory in the mist of the past, there is no better testimony to the concept than our Queen who is now served by a trio of female first ministers – Theresa May, Nicola Sturgeon and Arlene Foster – in all of the UK except Wales.

And that’s before we look beyond our lonely, inflationary Brexit shores to the most powerful politician in Europe, Angela Merkel, or to Hillary Clinton as the first potential female POTUS.

The female of the species is not only deadlier than the male: she has proven ability to lead and take tough decisions while accepting complex multi-tasking as an everyday given.

Although the popular inaccurate image of the House of Lords is of old blokes snoozing on those comfortable red benches, my new young boss as Leader of the House is of the fairer sex, the impressive Baroness Evans of Bowes Park – a star in the making.

But if girl power should be a reality anywhere, surely it is in retail, where 85% of goods bought are said to be by women or strongly influenced by them.

Contrary logic, then, when according to expert Korn Ferry the number of new retail female chief executives fell 40% in 2015.

How can this be in the best interests of any of us, male or female?

Lead by example

I always feel leading by example has monster merit, and so the exciting new sofa business I am advising is led by three impressive women – Julie Cross, Helen Coggan and Laura Chiddey ­– only one whom happens to be my daughter.

Having left school at 16, I am naturally impressed by their academic qualifications, ranging from children’s literature to law and criminology by way of furniture design.

“Girl power is a big reality in politics, Olympic sports and at our checkouts. It’s about time we made it the norm in our boardrooms too”

Lord Kirkham, DFS

With that proven ability, drive and insights into what women really want and with a few same-calibre top blokes on hand to do some of the heavy lifting, they will certainly positively impact the sector on their route to success.

Anyone who does not search for female talent in their business when on the promotion track has got it more wrong than the past chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi, who in a mad moment suggested that there are not enough women wanting to get to the top. There certainly are if you look hard enough.

Girl power is a big reality in politics, Olympic sports and at our checkouts. It’s about time we made it the norm in our boardrooms too.

It is absolute madness not to make the most of the talent in our businesses, tune into our customers’ current wavelength and, importantly, get the tills ringing loudly and long to that wonderful musical melody, my all time favourite – money, money, money.

Take it from a South Yorkshire white male Tory, a retailer of experience: life is fuller, and richer, with women on top.

• Lord Kirkham is founder of DFS