It is fair to say that progress has been slow—I would not pretend otherwise—and even disappointingly slow. I think that ministers share that view and are probably quite frustrated by the situation.
On the question whether the strategy should be revised, I am a little hesitant. I know that “Diversity Delivers” dates from 2008 and therefore might be seen by some to be quite old, but I think that it was based on sound analysis, and any further analysis that has happened since then tends to reinforce the position that was adopted in it. Some of the recommendations that it makes are pretty straightforward. If there is sufficient political will—and I believe that there is—it is a question of resources being made available to allow some fairly simple process changes to be made and, as I mentioned a few moments ago, continuing to work on changing the culture.
No one suggests that the boards that are currently appointed are generally doing anything other than a good job. Of course there may be issues but, generally, the process has delivered people who are capable of performing. For some, increasing diversity involves taking a risk by appointing people who are different from those who have been there up to now and trusting that those people will be able to demonstrate through the appointment process that they have the required skills, ability and experience and will be able to deliver.
Of course, that delivery will require the chairs of the boards that become more diverse to have the skills to exploit that diversity to good effect. It is not a simple process. Things will not change just by adjusting the pressure on a nut or moving a pipe somewhere. Quite a lot has to happen.
Although progress is disappointingly slow, if what is happening involves change on a number of fronts that will all lead to the outcome that everybody agrees is desirable, it is probably worth allowing a little more time for that to happen. Therefore, to answer your question about changing the strategy, I will happily listen to views but, as currently advised, I do not think that the strategy needs to change.