-- I do n't like to call it a glass ceiling , but I think there is still an unseen barrier for women , which is that , if you ask most business people , would they like to promote more women , they would all say yes , they 'd love to : `` Where are these women , I want to promote them , '' will be the answer . But often they do n't really automatically think of a woman first for a top job . Benjamin : And what advice would you give to women who want to try and make it to the top ? Gooding : Well , first of all , to learn as much as you can and to make sure you 've got the right experience , the right qualifications , and to enjoy each job for its own interest and job satisfaction . But I think another piece of advice I would give to women is not to be afraid to put themselves forward and say what it is they want , because I think one thing that happens with women , which perhaps is a gender difference , is
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Valerie Gooding is in the top five most powerful businesswomen in Europe as named by the Financial Times . She runs global health and care organization BUPA and under her leadership it has grown to over 8 million customers in over 190 countries and record revenues . CNN 's Todd Benjamin spoke to her in London and began by asking her why there are so few women at the top . She said it goes beyond family issues . Gooding : Women sometimes do n't put themselves forward for things . And one of the things I think about and talk about a lot is that women often lack confidence to go for the next job , the top job . They sometimes do n't wish to compete or they do n't think they 're good enough for the next thing . Benjamin : Why do you think that is ? Gooding : Partly a lack of role models , partly it may be conditioning from a very early age about what the role of women is in society and the family , in work . But also I think there is still