The share of women on the boards of large Nordic companies has jumped to 29 per cent from 23 per cent two years ago, led by Norway, where a government mandate has prompted large companies to appoint women to 44 per cent of board seats.

However, female representation on the boards of FTSE Eurofirst 300 companies overall is increasing far more slowly, according to the biennial survey by the European Professional Women's Network and Egon Zehnder, the recruitment company.