De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek and the local arm of Allen & Overy (A&O) have each teamed up with bluechip consultants in high-profile bids to capitalise on the drive to improve standards in Dutch boardrooms.

De Brauw’s scheme sees the launch this month of a ‘Board Academy’ in a joint venture with consultant McKinsey, Dutch executive recruiters Egon Zehnder, KPMG and Hay Consultants. A&O has already set up a similar venture with Bain & Partners and Ernst & Young.