Public Image

In March, one of Leicestershire's most senior female executives was forced to step down as a board member at the business where she worked.

Louise George (pictured), chief executive of scanning equipment maker Image Scan, of Barrow-upon-Soar, had to give up her position on the board after losing a vote at the firm's annual general meeting.

Three shareholders were able to defeat Ms George's bid to be re-elected to the board because of the lack of investors at the meeting. It meant she was forced to step down, but her role as chief executive was unaffected.

The irony was that a few weeks before I'd talked about the county's leading companies having a higher proportion of women on their boards than top businesses nationally - 13.6 per cent compared to 12.5 per cent.

It was revealed this week Ms George, the only female chief executive of a Leicestershire stock market-listed business, is set to be re-appointed to the board at a meeting on June 21.

There's nothing to suggest the three shareholders voted against Ms George's re-appointment for nothing other than business reasons, but it's interesting to note the vast majority of investors seem to have no problem with her performance.

It has been an unfortunate episode at a time when the Government is encouraging firms to increase the number of women in their board rooms.