A review of headhunting procedures in FTSE 100 companies commissioned by business secretary Vince Cable has recommended that all-women shortlists be forced on firms looking to recruit for senior positions.

The moves are part of a programme to increase the number of women on boards of the UK’s big companies, with women currently making up a fifth of all FTSE 100 posts, up from 12.5% in 2011 but Mr Cable wants faster progress.

Other proposals include headhunters putting at least one woman on the shortlist, making public the male-female candidate ratio during various recruitment stages and creating a database of “board ready” women to hire from.