John Timpson: joint ventures can mean a spat among equals if lawyers get involved A Plenty of evidence shows women will play an increasingly important part in the growth of our economy. One study suggests that greater participation by women in the workplace, especially the boardroom, can add an annual 0.5pc to our economic performance. There is a strong lobby in favour of more women on boards, but it is easy to forget how much things have changed already. In 1960, when I started work, there were no women on our management team, women had lower pay and when they left to have a baby, instead of receiving maternity pay they got their P45. My great-grandfather had 12 children, but only the boys went into the business Although we have seen a massive change in the past 50 years, there is still a stigma that stops some highly suitable women getting the top jobs. It is a pity that this has created so much pressure on mothers to return to work at the time when they are most needed by their young children. We are starting to hear reports that outsourcing full-time childcare can lead to attachment problems as the children grow up. The most successful companies are those that practise flexible working, allowing the job to fit in with a growing family. Perceptive chief executives don't see a career break as a barrier that stops talented women rising to the top. Women can only play their full role in a business when the chief executive believes they have been appointed for the right reasons. Today, nearly 50pc of the executive directors at Timpson are women, though we have yet to have a woman on our group board. But I am well aware that the best "man" for the job is often a woman - not being on the board hasn't stopped my wife, Alex, playing a crucial role in our success. Q As the boss of the nation's favourite cobbler, do you find yourself under pressure consistently to present yourself in perfectly-polished, pristine footwear? And just what is the shoe of choice for the face (and feet) of Timpson's? A When building up a business you can concentrate so hard on looking after customers that the family's feet are forgotten. Fortunately, our children were well-shod. In fact, it was usually me that took them to the shoe shop to be fitted, and it was my job to polish each pair ready for school. They wore Timpson shoes and so did I, but mine didn't get polished so often. I never achieved the high gloss required when I was in the cadet force at school. After we sold our shoe shops in 1987, I was free to buy from any shop and chose Russell & Bromley. Like most men, I always buy an almost identical style - in my case, formal moccasins. I am an easy customer to please but disappoint the keen assistant when they try to add shoe trees and polish to the sale (I have a warehouse full of shoe-care products). But Russell & Bromley don't see me very often - not surprisingly, I prefer to get my shoes repaired. I suppose it's a question of what interests you most - and my wife says I will never win the prize for "best turned-out." Your question prompted me to give my shoes an extra polish. I might not be that bothered, but I don't want to embarrass Alex.