One in three UK universities going backwards on female professorships

Sadly what is the incentive, especially when some institutions don't award the role with a salary increase.

This is an unsatisfactory situation, and we all need support in addressing this situation. The stats speak for themselves given that 50:50 is the ideal ratio. The way forward here is to embed Athena Swan into the REF, and the TEF. Then, to actively write that 50:50 is a basic assumption in our reporting, and the figure is nuanced to reflect local reality, including +50% female staff.

As an addendum to my own comment, I agree with Professor Steve Rothberg, contradicting myself! The stats might not speak simply to our local situation, which is very supportive of equality and fairness. This is a sector issue, not a 'name and shame' situation

It looks like you are advocating discrimination against people with superior ability on the grounds that they are the wrong gender. An Australian friend put it bluntly, "It's what's between their ears that should matter, not what's between their legs."