From Forbes magazine on August 19, 2009:

For the 6th year in a row, Wolters Kluwer CEO Nancy McKinstry has been named to the Forbes List of 100 Most Powerful Women 2009. This year she is ranked #43 – a significant move upwards from last year’s list, which ranked McKinstry at #82.

In this video interview, McKinstry discusses with Heidi Brown of Forbes Magazine subjects ranging from how Wolters Kluwer is innovating in the changing publishing industry, the role of women leaders in Europe, and the company’s strategy of increasing organic growth by staying on top of customer needs and emerging technologies.

The women of the 100 Most Powerful Women list are chosen for their leadership positions, the amount of money and resources they control, and the frequency of media mentions.

Dutch telecom giant KPN is launching an affirmative action programme for women in top management posts.

In an interview with the Volkskrant, KPN CEO Ad Scheepbouwer notes the number of women among its top management currently accounts for just 17 percent. The figure, he says, is too low and needs to be raised. As prior attempts to do so have produced little improvement, the company has decided that from now on only women will be considered for certain posts. The company still needs to determine the exact number and nature of the functions. KPN is thought to be the first large company to start an affirmative action policy for women. On Monday Parliament is to discuss a proposal by the Labour Party aimed at boosting the number of women in top management to 30 percent.

Source: Radio Netherlands Worldwide

A BBC World News documentary sponsored by “The Open University” – produced and directed by Claudine Parrish – with appearances of EuropeanPWN’s Avivah Wittenberg-Cox and Annalisa Gigante.