Unilever’s green goals under fire; activists demand board changes; KPMG faces FRC over Carillion; State Street urges clarity on net zero.

Board diversity push sees 51% of non-exec roles held by women, compared with just 24% of executive committee positions.

Shell to shift its HQ; audit reforms continue to cause controversy; Korea introduces gender quota; and stock exchanges make net zero pledges.

The Sustainability Board Report says boardrooms need more women if action on ESG issues is to improve further.

Female CFOs give “direct, concise and conservative presentations” and enjoy “stronger associations with future firm performance”.

Creating an organisation where women hold senior leadership positions in proportionate numbers should be considered a major change programme.

Research suggests organisations that appoint more women to their boards perform better on environmental and social measures.

With improved gender diversity on boards, the latest report from the Hampton-Alexander Review turns its attention to female leaders.

A count by diversity campaign group the 30% Club shows that there is now a woman on the board at every company in the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250.

Report says progress on gender at small firms is largely down to more female NEDs, with “no material improvements” in ethnic diversity.