Is local government more open to women at the most senior levels of the organisation? If my experience is anything to go by, the answer is, yes.

At GatenbySanderson, we've handled the appointments of five women to council chief executive positions across the country in little more than 12 months. But the fact remains – just 16% of chief executives are women. And, according to the current Municipal Year Book, there has been no increase in this number compared with the previous year.