Women aren't on boards because they prioritise their partner and children, says Hilary Devey Ms Devey, 56, launched her freight distribution company Pall-Ex in 1996 and made her first million within three years. The company now turns over £100m a year. She told The Observer Magazine: "The glass ceiling does not exist. You find a good woman in business and she'll often be better than a man - the problem is finding them. I can't get any women on my board because women generally put their partner and children first. Last year the Government dropped plans to force companies in Britain to appoint a set proportion of women to their boards. Ministers said scrapping the plans would remove "burdensome regulation" on companies and instead they would merely encourage firms to appoint more women to executive positions. However, the EU is considering setting Europe-wide targets to increase the number of women company directors. If the directive, currently in draft form, is approved, it will mean Stock Market-listed companies with 250 staff or more will have to have 40 per cent women board members by 2020, or face fines. The Cooperative Group last week announced a new commitment to make sure that 40 per cent of board members are women by 2018. Currently, the main board of the Co-op, which runs banking, food, insurance, funeral care, pharmacy, legal and online electrical business, comprises 25 per cent women. Ms Devey began her business in 1996 to fund her son Mevlit's education. The businesswoman had lived comfortably as a child until her father was declared bankrupt and the family lost their home. Last month it was revealed Ms Devey had gone through her third divorce. She now believes "love doesn't exist." She said: "I've been divorced three times now and I'm not bothered about ever having a fourth husband. It doesn't work - particularly in circumstances where one partner has all the wealth. Does the glass ceiling in business still exist?