Harvey Nash Launches Major new Initiative to Build the Next Generation of Female Board Leaders

LONDON, May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Harvey Nash is today launching a unique executive level women's business network - Aspire - specifically aimed at supporting women at C-suite, Director and VP level progress to Board positions.

The Aspire network has been launched to bring together a greater pool of high performing executives by focusing on talented women in middle management who have the potential to progress, but have not traditionally put themselves forward, or been considered, for Board roles.

Aspire follows the success of Inspire - Harvey Nash's Board network of senior board women, launched in 2008 and now has over 2,000 members across the UK, Continental Europe, the U.S. and Asia Pacific. The two initiatives will work side-by-side, with Aspire members benefiting from: networking events, where members can share knowledge and hear from industry leaders; mentoring, where members can be matched with Inspire Board network members for personal support and guidance; and career opportunities.

Commenting on the launch of Aspire, Dr Jane E. Shaw, retired Chairman of the Board of Directors, Intel Corporation said: "I thoroughly endorse the approach Harvey Nash has taken to Board level diversity with their Inspire network,and I applaud the launch of Aspire which will encourage more successful women executives to pursue full Board appointments. Diversity is not just a concept, but proving to be an invaluable corporate resource".

Carol Rosati, co-founder of Aspire and Director at Harvey Nash commented: "Through Aspire we want to move the debate on; away from discussions about numbers and quotas, which in my experience very few women support, and on to practical initiatives that can improve the supply of top female talent. We believe an overwhelming majority of senior male and female Board Directors believe judging candidates solely on merit and providing equal opportunities remainsthe best way forward in tackling the historic disparity. However, as executive recruiters we see abottleneck of talent in the middle layers of management; high performing, qualified women who are simply not being offered the chance to pursue a career on the Board. The paradox is that without more women on boards, board room evolution will only continueat a glacial pace."

Alexa Bailey co-founder of Aspire and Consultant at Harvey Nash said: "Aspire is about creating aspiration. It's about creating a supportive environment for women, as well as the contacts, practical ideas and mentors that can change attitudes andcreate realcareer opportunities. We have seen how well this networking approach has worked with our Board level network Inspire, and we look forward to taking this to the aspiring board leaders of the future."

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NOTES TO EDITORS

About Aspire:

Established in 2012 and supported by Harvey Nash, Aspire is an executive business network for C-suite, Director and VP level women aimed at helping progress to Board level positions.

Aspire works in close conjunction with Inspire, Harvey Nash's Board network targeted at the most senior board women, which was launched in 2008 and has over 2,000 members across three continents. Aspire members will enjoy: networking events, where members can share knowledge and hear from industry leaders; mentoring, where members can be matched with Inspire network members for personal support and guidance; thought leadership papers and career opportunities.

For further information about Aspire or to participate at events and thought leadership forums, please contact Alexa Bailey at alexa.bailey@harveynash.com or Carol Rosati at carol.rosati@harveynash.com.

About Harvey Nash:

Established in 1988, Harvey Nash has supported many of the world's leading organisations to recruit, source and manage the highly skilled talent they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive and technology driven world. With 4,000 professionals in 40 offices across the USA, Europe and Asia the Group has the reach and resources of a global organisation, whilst fostering a culture of innovation and agility that empowers its people to respond to constantly changing client needs. We work with clients, both large and small, to deliver a portfolio of services: executive search, professional recruitment and outsourcing. 

To learn more, please visit http://www.harveynash.com. 

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