Avni Mashru, 39, who works at PwC and is on the board of the Girls’ Day School Trust, is a keen advocate for the benefits of joining a board. “I think there’s still a perception that you need the experience level of the traditional ‘pale, male and stale’ individual to take up a board position,” she says. “In reality there are lots of opportunities to get involved in board-type positions, from small sports clubs all the way up to large companies.”

“If you meet anyone who’s been on a board, they’re different,” Hathorn adds. “They start interacting with people differently, they think about themselves in a different way. It’s just very empowering.” She also points out that it’s a great option for women who have been out of the workplace on career breaks or maternity leave to keep up their skills.

Carly Thompsett, 29, runs an online clothing business and is on the board of a charity that rescues and recycles mobility equipment. “To be honest, I stumbled into this role,” she tells me. “I hadn’t ever thought about being a trustee before, but to see how much it meant for the charity, and for me to be taken seriously as a businesswoman was empowering.”

“I feel I have learnt a lot from the role, making sure that all decisions put the needs of the beneficiaries first and safeguarding the assets. I have taken what I have learnt as a trustee and used them in my own business.”

Women on boards: why joining a board could be the key to career success