When Financial News invited the very first FN100 women to drinks, one of the most senior names on the list, a woman with unimpeachable business credentials, was perturbed. “How depressing that we still need to single these women out,” she said.

Three years later in 2010, the sentiment was echoed by an exemplar of similar rank. "Do you all still see that illusionary glass ceiling? Do doors close to you? I am certain you could pick the locks with a hairpin," she said, and on she went to more important matters.