Clearly Amanda Blanc (Lunch with the FT, Life & Arts, May 28) has proved a very capable chief executive at Aviva. However, I was dismayed with her view that the comments made at the AGM about her leadership were sexist.

The comment in question was that she was “not the man for the job”, an expression used for generations as a criticism that someone — whether man or woman — was not capable of doing the work. Likewise, having “basic housekeeping” skills has never been a criticism, rather an accolade that every company should follow. As for “wearing the trousers”, the saying usually refers to those who are leading the agenda whether at work or home.

There seems to be a trend of reinterpreting long established sayings to fit an opinion. Certainly if the speaker intends to make a sexual snipe then this must be shot down but let’s be sure of that intention first, before ascribing other meanings.

Neil Riley
Dorking, Surrey, UK