Sacha Romanovitch, the incoming chief executive of accountants Grant Thornton UK, said embracing so-called feminine characteristics is the best way to succeed in business.

 

Many women make the mistake of trying to dress and behave like men, which is a waste of energy and resources, she said.

 

Instead, they should use traditionally 'female' traits like listening and interpersonal skills as a way to get the best out of their staff.

 

The businesswoman, a mother-of-two, is thought to be the first woman to lead a major accountancy firm in the UK.

 

Speaking at the Girls' Day School Trust conference lately, she urged other women to have the confidence to 'celebrate their difference'.

 

She said: 'One of the things that happened when I was promoted to partner was people saying "that's really great because I thought you would have to be a she-man to be promoted".

 

'The model of leadership that we currently have [favours] typically male characteristics...'

 

'Earlier in my career, someone said to me that my challenge was that I was not male, middle-aged² and balding.'

 

'You have to get the confidence to celebrate your difference rather than try to conform to something that you may never be.'

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