‘Women have never had it so good at work’

Jun 1 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

MARKS & Spencer boss Sir Stuart Rose believes that glass ceilings had disappeared from the workplace and women “have never had it so good”.

The chairman of the high street chain said women could enjoy both a successful career and a family.

He added: “Apart from the fact that you’ve got more equality than you ever can deal with, the fact of the matter is that you’ve got real democracy and there are really no glass ceilings, despite the fact that some of you moan about it all the time.”

Citing a female pilot who joined the Red Arrows, he said: “Women can get to the top of any single job that they want to in the UK.

“I mean, what else do you want to do, for God’s sake? Women astronauts. Women miners. Women dentists. Women doctors. Women managing directors. What is it you haven’t got?”

It was possible for women to have children and a high-powered career, he said.

“Women have children; I can’t help that. But I know lots of women who’ve got two or three kids – (fund manager) Nicola Horlick is a good example – there are many girls in here who’ve got two kids who come to work.”