SCOTTISHPOWER has teamed up with the Confederation of British Industry in Scotland to launch a mentoring programme aimed at increasing the number of women in senior executive roles.

Eighteen leaders, including ScottishPower chief executive Keith Anderson, CBI Scotland director Tracy Black, KPMG senior partner for Scotland Catherine Burnet, and University of Strathclyde principal Professor Sir Jim McDonald, have already signed up to be part of the programme. The leaders will each mentor three women for 12 months, offering career advice, sharing insights and experiences, and providing professional and personal guidance.

Mr Anderson said: “A common factor raised in a lot of organisations when reporting on their gender pay gap is the under-representation of women in senior roles. This was the case for ScottishPower, and we are already reviewing how we identify talent and enhance career opportunities internally. The issue is greater than one company or one industry though.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I commend ScottishPower and CBI Scotland for launching this initiative and committing to narrowing the gender pay gap in sectors traditionally difficult for women to both enter and progress in.”

Ms Black said: “While women are joining boards in greater numbers than ever, it’s often as non-executive directors. These are important roles but they are not the day-to-day leaders.”