A number of companies including Dutch Rail, telecoms provider KPN and financial services group ING have signed a charter pledging to get more women into top functions.

The companies, which represent some 5.5% of the workforce, say they will take concrete steps to improve the career prospects for female talent but have not set any targets.
The charter is the initiative of the TopBrainstorm organisation, set up last year to get more women into senior corporate and civil service positions.