The idea that a skilled and diverse board is important to the efficient running of a company has gained weight…In the UK there have been several initiatives encouraging more female appointments at senior level. The new corporate governance code lays out guidelines to encourage boardroom diversity, including gender, and a government inquiry into why few women reach board level…is under way. Other countries such as Norway and Spain have gone down the legislative route, setting up quotas to ensure boards do not remain male dominated. Yet in spite of the initiatives, women still account for less than 12 per cent of board seats at the top 300 European companies…So what are investors doing about the gender issue? Sheila Patel, co-chief executive of Goldman Sachs Asset Management International, and a partner at the group, believes gender is becoming a more important issue for investors, particularly in Europe…The question also indirectly extends to Goldman Sachs. “Before choosing us as an asset manager they do not ask what per cent of portfolio managers are women but they do ask how we are handling these matters at our organisation,” adds Ms Patel...[I]n the US, Goldman is facing a gender bias law suit over pay and promotions…Ms Patel was unable to comment on the case but in a statement the company says the suit is “without merit. […]” Investor engagement on gender in the boardroom has not been noticeable in the UK, according to Georgina Marshall, regional head of corporate governance at Aviva Investors...She maintains it is more a “standard part of due diligence in the US. [also refers to Newton Investment Management]