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"...but Hardman said headhunters are told to ensure women account for at least a third of shortlists for partner appointments"

Either at least 33% of the best candidates headhunters encounter are women or they are not.

If they are, then this policy is completely unnecessary.

If they are not, then the policy directs headhunters to prefer a less-qualified woman over a better-qualified man on the grounds of her gender. That is discrimination, and it is unacceptable.